Fridge

By Robert Raphael

My new favorite tool I would like to share is [|Fridge] a private social networking site. I have been investigating whether private social networks might be better than Facebook for classroom projects, discussions, etc. I am not comfortable with requiring students to get on Facebook. As most of you probably know, it's not very secure or private; and one never knows what the next change or update to the site will bring. In many ways, it's too big for it's own good. And many parents, for good reason, are wary about their children mulling around on Facebook.

I like the fact that this site is secure and easy to use. What I really liked was the fact that users can sign in using their Facebook credentials. So if they already are signed up for that, they don't have to sign up for anything else. As long as the user doesn't mind Fridge accessing their Facebook information, it's all good. Users don't have to worry about people outside the network viewing their information, and users can even set up multiple networks, so while they're on there they can talk about the teacher without the teacher ever seeing any of it. Also, once a project or conversation is over, it can be wiped from the site securely. Parents don't have to worry about stalkers or other inappropriate interactions. It may not be perfect, but to me it's better than asking students to go to Facebook to get tonight's assignment.


 * //UPDATE 7/21//**: I got an email today telling me Fridge is "closing up shop" and the team will integrate into Google+. This is good news/bad news I think. Certainly becoming a part of Google ensures certain levels of stability, expertise, etc., but it also means some if not all of Fridge's features will either be terminated or changed to something else. If you haven't checked out Google+ plus yet I can send you an invitation if you like. I personally liked the fact that Fridge was its own entity, but the reality of the web is that most small enterprises do not succeed, and if they do they get swallowed up by larger entities. Bottom line: If you try to access Fridge and it's gone, then you might try another of my suggestions, located on the Wiki Resources page.



It's a bummer that Fridge is shutting down. Not only did it seem like an interesting way to add a facebook-esque element to the classroom, but the site was well designed. Many of these safe networking sites are unattractive and boring. I know that doesn't necessarily change the validity of the site, but students (ok, me too) seem more invested with the site //looks// more legitimate. I wonder if Google+ plus will maintain any of the previous details that were so appealing.

Nina Rygiol