Supporting students through social networking

This paper reports on the use of web-based social networking to support social work students on placement. The online group developed into a community of practice (Wenger, 1998) and a flavour of the interaction on the social network is offered in support of the argument for it being a community of practice. The possible reasons for its success are explored in relation to some literature on the criteria for positive outcomes of online groups. This piece of practice is shared in the hope that other practice teachers might use similar webbased resources to enhance the practice learning of students and to offer support to those who might be isolated in their student role. It was fun to manage and the peer support it provided was greatly valued by the students.