[Air-L] In-class exercises to illustrate social networks (Not just virtual ones). . .

[Giorgos Cheliotis]

I teach a class on social media and a student group gave everyone in the
classroom a fake mini-profile printed on paper, with an identity, and a
need/task to complete. Then students had to ask those they know better or
those sitting next to them whether they can provide the thing they need
according to the mini profile. Then they could ask further, beyond their
immediate circle. The first match wins and the class discussed how many hops
it took to find a match (hint: the profiles and needs/tasks were generally
humorous). We've tried many such offline experiments in class, w.r.t. social
tagging, online self-presentation, etc., with some being more successful
than others. They were not specifically intended to illustrate SNA methods,
but rather to illustrate principles and uses of social networks. 

Hope this is helpful

Giorgos


Giorgos Cheliotis
Assistant Professor
Communications and New Media
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
National University of Singapore 



> -----Original Message-----
> From: air-l-bounces at listserv.aoir.org [mailto:air-l-
> bounces at listserv.aoir.org] On Behalf Of richard.ling at telenor.com
> Sent: Monday, 15 February, 2010 1:47 AM
> To: air-l at listserv.aoir.org
> Subject: [Air-L] In-class exercises to illustrate social networks (Not
> just virtual ones). . .
> 
> Hello all,
> 
> I am looking for some simple exercises that can illustrate social
> network analysis. I am thinking more of the "real life" versions of
> social networks that probabaly also bleed over into the virtual ones.
> 
> Any suggestions are welcome.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Rich Ling
> 
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