Providing Social Presence in DE with Social Networking Tools?

Is providing social presence in DE with social networking tools a good idea?  Terry Anderson (2009), in his social networking chapter, provides an excellent definitioon as "networked tools that support and encourage learning through face-to-face and online interactions while retaining individual control over time, space, presence, activity and identity" (para 1).  I liked how he provides three purposes for using social networking tools - "socializing, sharing and sojourning" (Anderson, 2006, para 3).  I had not considered the sojourning aspect before this chapter, but it does allow for active learning through the collaborative tools of social networking.

Another aspect that I found interesting in his chapter was the concern over student privacy.  FERPA is always at the forefront at my higher education institution.  I will need to make sure I am not violating any FERPA regulations if I use social networking tools.  There are two informative websites regarding FERPA that I would like to share.  The first site discusses general aspects of FERPA http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html    and the second site discusses frequently asked questions about FERPA http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/faq.html

So, social network tools can provide social presence, but make sure you are FERPA compliant.

Reference: Anderson, T. (2009). Social networking in education. A draft paper to STRIDE handbook for The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). Retrieved from http://terrya.edublogs.org/2009/04/28/social-networking-chapter/