From Inquiry to Impact
Dr. Christine Greenhow
MySpace, Facebook, and Youth: What Do Social Network Sites Have To Offer Youth Development?
See presentation online
About the topic
Millions of youth spend time everyday learning, communicating and connecting in online social network sites such as MySpace or Facebook. Despite the media’s mostly negative portrayal of youth activities in these spaces, social network sites can have positive and educational benefits. However, much of the research on this topic is still emerging or has taken place in fields other than education. This presentation will focus on emerging research that looks in-depth at youth activities, perceptions, and experiences in online social network sites and considers their implications for the field of youth development/youth education. Emphasis will be placed on youth activities and relationships in these online spaces.
About Dr. Christine Greenhow
Christine Greenhow is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Learning Technologies within the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Minnesota’s College of Education and Human Development.
- Christine earned her doctorate from Harvard University where she was a Larson Fellow.
- She is the recipient of the University of Minnesota’s 2008-2009 Outstanding Postdoctoral Scholar Award for extraordinary scholarly achievement.
- Her research focuses on how people learn, teach, and collaborate using emerging social digital technologies.
- She has authored over 30 journal articles, book chapters and conference papers on technology in education.
- Her most recent research has been featured in local, national, and international news media, including Seattle Times, Boston Herald, IT Business Net, Science News, StarTribune, Pioneer Press, KSTP-TV Channel 5, WCCO Radio, and Twin Cities Live.
- She is currently the Principal Investigator on the Youth and Social Media Project funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
- In collaboration with a Seattle-based, technology company, NewsCloud, this cutting edge research and development project is investigating how online social network sites can engage youth in learning about pressing issues, build action-oriented community, and generate real world impact.
- Christine is the Founding Chair of the interdisciplinary Social Networks Research Consortium in the Institute of Advanced Studies at the University of Minnesota: www.socialnetresearch.org.
- She is also the originator and co-chair of the first Minnesota Futures Networks and Neighborhoods in Cyberspace Symposium, involving over 175 leading researchers, community activists, and nonprofit leaders in conversation about the future and implications of cyberspace networks for education, business, government, and humanities: www.networksincyberspace.org.
- She is involved with educational technology research and policy issues at the national level, serving as advisor to the development of the National Educational Technology Standards.
- Christine is also a member of the National Technology Leadership Summit held annually in Washington, DC.
Dr. Christine Greenhow - MySpace, Facebook, and Youth: What Do Social Network Sites Have To Offer Youth Development?
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Questions or comments?
Contact Ann Lochner at (612) 624-8190 or lochn006@umn.edu
About the Event
Hosts: The University of Minnesota Extension Center for Youth Development
Date/Place: February 23, 2009, at the University of Minnesota
About Special Learning Series Events
Sponsored by the University of Minnesota Extension Center for Youth Development, these events are planned and hosted by the Center’s Research and Evaluation Unit in partnership with the Applied Research Collaborative on Youth Development (ARCYD).
ARCYD is a network of researchers, evaluators and policy leaders dedicated to generating applied research that bridges research findings with policy solutions for youth.
