What is social bookmarking?
Social bookmarking is a method by which internet users may organize, store, tag, manage and search for web resource links that are available online.
A social bookmarking site enables a user to create a personal directory of his/her personal links. These sites also enable users to assign any and/or as many tags and/or categories to each link in their directory.
Some sites - such as Delicious - allow users to communicate and share resources with other users with similar personal directories. Social bookmarking sites also enable users to find information on the net by clicking on tags generated by other users.
Social bookmarking in the classroom
The following are some ideas on how social bookmarking sites can be used in the classroom:
* Ask students to start their own bookmarking account for research purposes. Tell them to justify their choices of links in a "Notes" field for the link they selected and tagged.
* Ask students to create bundles of links and tags based on the class topic for the week. Tell them to use the "Notes" field to comment on three things they learnt from the site
* Ask students to use their bookmarking accounts to create annoted resource lists for group projects
These suggestions and more can be found at the Web 2.0 Survival Guide website
Find social bookmarking tools
The following is a list of links to some of the popular social bookmarking tools on the internet.
- digg"digg is a news site that combines social bookmarking and editing with democratic editorial control"
- Glogster"Glogster is a social network that allows users to create free interactive posters, or glogs"
- Google Bookmarks"Allows users to save and create bookmarks that can be accessed anywhere"
- Live Binders"This fun and easy-to-use site makes it easy to organize and share sources. Teachers can use it as a presentation tool, plan an interactive lesson, or engage with students on the research process"
- PinterestPin things from websites and organize those pins into boards for easy access. Follow others to see what they have pinned
- Symbaloo"Symbaloo is simple yet feature-rich online start-page that lets you easily organize and access favorite websites and web services on one page"
Examples of social bookmarking use in the classroom
- Deer Lakes Middle School Alpha: Ancient GreeceA middle school social studies class' Glog on Ancient Greece
- Human Body LapbookA home schooler's science lesson on Squidoo
- Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs: a lesson plan on Live BindersA literacy lesson plan outlined using the Live Binders social software
