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Pros and cons of using Facebook or MySpace for a CLE or PLE
I have not created a Facebook account, but have thought about it many times. I read the article about Facebook eventually becoming obsolete because there is nowhere to grow. She mentioned that for a few months it is very exciting, but after awhile the excitement lessens. I have a few friends who feel the same way. I’m also a private person and don’t really like the idea of people going out and being able to get information about me. I know that I can monitor my own information and who I invite in, but that seems to kind of defeat the purpose of even using Facebook. So my answers to this question are going to be vague since I don’t have an account and have never used it.
As for a CLE or PLE I think the pros are that it can be public and people who use Facebook are familiar with how to use it. I think it offers many tools that are helpful and helps you stay organized and keep track of others as they can keep track of you.
The cons are that based on my understanding of the tools you have to be a member in order to use it. So if people are not a member they cannot access the information. Is that correct?
Google Aps start page or igoogle is great! I have set it as my home page because it allows me to see exactly what I want to be updated on when I open my computer. I know what the weather is going to be (or at least predicted to be), have updates on blogs, and news stories right there.
I have been using Google sites which I will be using for my CLE and I think it’s a great social networking tool. It allows people who have no skills at building websites to input information, make new pages, and acts as a wiki for others to update if you want. I think they are a good way to support social networks especially in certain groups like education. If you go onto the gmu.edu sites all the people who have created a site on on there. I think google sites is comparable to wiki’s as the information can be edited and you can view the older editions of the site. As per blogs I think that they are not as comparable. I think it is much more wiki focused.
Slideshare and YouTube do not work for my base tool because I want viewers to access a lot of different information and links. I am using a slideshow from Flicr and videos from YouTube, but it is not my base tool.
I am building my test site, but I don’t want to post it yet as I am refining the data and the look. When it is more manageable I will post it.
I had heard of del.icio.us before I started taking EDIT 772, but had never taken the time to explore it and figure out how it would be useful. I have been reading and doing the assignments for class and have found some fantastic websites by searching the tags. I think this could get very addictive. 
I have found many sites that I have never heard of which are great resources to my project for class. I am so glad we are doing this!
I am hoping to go to Switzerland in May for a quick trip with a friend. I have never been to Switzerland so I’m excited about the prospect of being able to visit this gorgeous country. I have a few Swiss friends who live there, but I’m not sure if I will be able to visit them. They live about three hours from Zurich so I’ve got to figure out how to spend as much time as possible seeing the country and being able to see them.
When I travel I like to see more than one country, but this may only be a four day trip so I think I need to stick within Switzerland. I haven’t made any plans yet as I am taking three classes and am working full time. It’s hard to find time to do everything. Has anyone been to Switzerland? If so, what are your recommendations to see while I’m there?
I wanted to post a blog to see what it would look like. I am registered for EDIT 772 at George Mason University and have been asked to create an account with edublogs.
