We have all heard about and perhaps used social networking websites in our personal lives, but have we explored all the ways to use a site such as Ning for our students? This session will show numerous ways to use Ning with assignments focusing on the four main component areas: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Examples will be from my own spring 2009, summer 2009, and fall 2009 classes. I will also show how to use various internet sources that can be linked or embedded into Ning. This slidshow also highlights some of the potential challenges when using Ning.

1. Don’t Wing It, Ning It! TESOL March 26th, 2010 Boston Convention & Exhibition Center 206 A Qatar University Foundation English Program Crystal Young Qatar University - Foundation English Program Crystal Young TESOL March 26, 2010

2. Today’s Presentation Common Challenges in Teaching What is Ning? Experience Teaching with Ning How can teachers use Ning? How can students use Ning? Make Your Own Ning Network Caveats Qatar University - Foundation English Program Crystal Young TESOL March 26, 2010

3. Common Challenges in Teaching Take a few minutes and discuss some challenges you experience in teaching with someone next to you. No textbook is perfect. Classrooms are crowded and have mixed levels. There is never enough time. Qatar University - Foundation English Program Crystal Young TESOL March 26, 2010

4. What is Ning? Ning is the social platform for the world’s interests and passions online. With Ning, you can make your brand social, amplify a cause you’re passionate about, or simply forge strong relationships with like-minded people. http://about.ning.com/ Qatar University - Foundation English Program Crystal Young TESOL March 26, 2010

5. Why Do People Use Ning? To Connect! There are over 2 million Ning networks: Qatar University - Foundation English Program Crystal Young TESOL March 26, 2010

6. When and Where Have I Used Ning? Missouri State University – English Language Institute January 2009 – July 2009 Intermediate, Writing & Grammar High Intermediate, Reading Advanced, Listening Qatar University – Foundation English Program September 2009 – present High Beginner, Writing & Reading Qatar University - Foundation English Program Crystal Young TESOL March 26, 2010

7. Benefits of Using Ning Free* Easy Fun Teachers share lessons, and materials Students create and share Student accountability Community building Secure (If you make it Private) *You can upgrade your membership for a fee. Qatar University - Foundation English Program Crystal Young TESOL March 26, 2010

8. How Can Teachers Use Ning? Teachers Create and Share Vocabulary, Reading, or Grammar worksheets Reading texts (with/without audio files) for read along listening US Embassy’s Voice of America (VOA) audio files Youtube videos National Public Radio (NPR) audio files Teacher’s own podcast Grammar explanation videos Grammar website links Qatar University - Foundation English Program Crystal Young TESOL March 26, 2010

9. How Can Teachers Use Ning? Teachers Create and Share Weekly Lessons Qatar University - Foundation English Program Crystal Young TESOL March 26, 2010

10. How Can Teachers Use Ning? Qatar University - Foundation English Program Crystal Young TESOL March 26, 2010 Teachers Create and ShareExamples

11. How Can Students Use Ning? Writing - Students Create and Share Weekly Journals (Blogs) Windows Movie Maker Mixbook Bombay TV English Subtitled Short Movies Qatar University - Foundation English Program Crystal Young TESOL March 26, 2010

12. How Can Students Use Ning? Qatar University - Foundation English Program Crystal Young TESOL March 26, 2010 Students Create and ShareMultimedia

13. How Can Students Use Ning? Students Create and ShareJournals Students write weekly journals in the Blogs section based on a prompt by the teacher. The teacher (and other students) can give feedback in the Comment section. Teacher comment: I also want more time! Do not feel sad though because we have no classes on April 9th and 10th. Besides it  besides that Qatar University - Foundation English Program Crystal Young TESOL March 26, 2010

14. How Can Students Use Ning? Students Create and Share Windows Movie Maker Students can make and embed Windows Movie Maker short movies about stories they have read. Qatar University - Foundation English Program Crystal Young TESOL March 26, 2010

15. How Can Students Use Ning? Students Create and Share Bombay TV English Subtitled Short Movies Students embed their Bombay TV short movie clips into the Blogs section to show off their work to the class. Students write their own English subtitles for the short movie clips. Qatar University - Foundation English Program Crystal Young TESOL March 26, 2010

16. How Can Students Use Ning? Students Create and Share Grammar Images Grammar students can post images and write sentences using comparative adjectives in the Blogs section. Kobe Bryant palys basketball as good as Michael Jordan! Kobe Bryant is younger than Michael Jordan. Kobe Bryant jumps as high as Michael Jordan. Qatar University - Foundation English Program Crystal Young TESOL March 26, 2010

17. How Can Students Use Ning? Students Create and Share Voicethread Qatar University - Foundation English Program Crystal Young TESOL March 26, 2010

18. How Can Students Use Ning? Students Create and Share Mixbook Students can make and embed a Mixbook about stories they have read. Qatar University - Foundation English Program Crystal Young TESOL March 26, 2010

19. Make Your Own Ning Network What you need: Email and Password Ning – A Visual Guide file www.ning.com Qatar University - Foundation English Program Crystal Young TESOL March 26, 2010

20. Caveats & Advice 1. Getting your students on board - 1. email invitation to your private network, 2. Make your network momentarily public and allow students to join 2. Security(private/public) 3. Disclaimer “Weekly plans might change.” 4. Google Ads – questionable content for our students 5. Adobe Flash Player to view videos (http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/) 6. Make a “dummy” account and invite colleagues/yourself as “students” to practice 7. Limitations – create only 10 Ning networks under one email account. Qatar University - Foundation English Program Crystal Young TESOL March 26, 2010

21. Images Used in Today’s Presentation http://www.esl-lesson-plan.com/archives/images/ESL%20Textbooks.jpg http://mearadio.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/crowded_5331.jpg http://www.chabotcollege.edu/Library/subjectindex/hourglass.jpg Qatar University - Foundation English Program Crystal Young TESOL March 26, 2010

22. Thank You for Attending I will email you a user friendly visual guide to Ning and this PowerPoint Presentation. Please mail me at crystal@qu.edu.qa or crystalanneyoung@gmail.com with any questions or comments. Qatar University - Foundation English Program Crystal Young TESOL March 26, 2010