How can social networking sites be used educationally?

I really had to think about this. Much of the research I have seen on this (which is really not that much) indicates that there is a problem overcoming the school/social barrier. Students will use the site if required, but will not willingly continue using the sites after the class has ended. Perhaps one way around this problem is to use the social networking sites to network across classrooms or schools. This would be a great way to set up "pen pal" relationships or collaborate with other school sites on science or math inquiry projects. The collaboration could occur with students of other nations too.

This last year I applied for and was granted a school seismograph. However, it has been difficult staying in touch with the other teachers that I trained with. Perhaps Facebook, Ning, or even Linked In would be a good application for use to use to share information, ideas, and earthquake files!

The social networking sites that I am most familiar with are Linked In and now Ning. I like the sharing of information, but I would like to have more freedom to post static information on the page, such as important links etc. The way that the EDS Facebook page would be most useful for me is for sharing information with other teachers. Maybe there can be a link to a lesson plan repository. Or a link to a different delicious accounts. Also a list of what teachers are teaching where. A blog about what research is currently being done by the EDS department would be interesting too.