BP05_20091108_Social Bookmarking

There are multiple advantages of using social bookmarking sites in the educational realm. The resources that are compiled can be easily accessed on any computer that is connected to the Internet, making collaboration with peers, and between teachers and students a more viable option.

Most individuals are familiar with the traditional Favorites files and Bookmarks, but to make those accessible at any given time, it would be necessary to either put them on a thumb drive or burn them onto a disc that an individual would then have to carry around when accessing other computers and networks. The files that store the Favorites sites are labeled according to the site content and if a particular site could fit into multiple file categories, then it would have to be denoted somehow and bookmarked into several folders or files.

According to Jackson (2009), social bookmarking helps the learner to “benefit from the research of others, while having a far more dynamic and helpful system of organization” (par. 3). Social bookmarking allows an individual to save a site using keywords known as “tags” and then organizes those sites with researched sites of other users using the same key words. Riddell (2006) states, “tagging sites allow users to save their favorite links, content, and media to a centrally accessible site” (par.2).

In a study of social networking sites conducted by researchers at the University of Minnesota, students ages 16-18 were shown to be practicing 21st century skills that are needed for achieving success. According to Greenbow (2008) “students are developing a positive attitude towards using technology systems, editing and customizing content and thinking about online design and layout. They’re also sharing creative original work like poetry and film and practicing safe and responsible use of information and technology” (par. 4).

Social bookmarking can help educators and students remove some of the frustrations associated with Internet research by organizing and collaborating the contents into more user friendly and navigable locations.



Jackson, L. (2009). Sites to see: social bookmarking. Education World. Retrieved November 5, 2009, from http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/sites/sites080.shtml

Riddell, R. (2006). Social bookmarking makes its mark in education. Eschoolnews.
Retrieved November 5, 2009 from
http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top- news/index.cfm?print&i=42069&CFID=1188443

University of Minnesota (2008, June 21). Educational benefits of social networking sites uncovered. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 5, 2009 from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080620133907.htm