Directory of E-Learning Tools: Social networking tools

These tools are for creating social networks and communities and supporting social learning.

Key to Availability
Ł=cost; C =add code to web page/blog; D =download; H = hosted service; OS = Open source; FT=free trial

Top Social Networking Tools
These are the tools voted Top Tools for Learning by learning professionals worldwide

Tool	Summary	Available
Elgg	Social networking tool for education	Free	D	OS
Ning	Create custom social websites	Free	H

Other Social Networking Tools

Tool	Summary	Available
1Society	Online Community Tools help you to create a shared space online that interoperates with communities created by other people	Ł	H
AROUNDMe	Made up of a core and a bunch of social tools that plug into the core to give you a flexible social tool kit	Free	D
Buddypress	Transforms an installation of WordPress MU into a social network platform	Free	D	OS
Cloud27	Social networking site built on the open-source Pinax platform.	Free	H
Community Center 2.0	Enterprise-scale social network and community platform	Ł	H
Community Server	The platform that powers web communities	Ł	D/H
Community Zero	For group communication and to streamline business processes.	Ł	D
Company Loop	Social networking tool for your company	Free	H
ConnectBeam	Enterprise social bookmarking and social networking	Ł	D	FT
Courses on Facebook	Facebook app for instructor to use a social and engaging application that can reach students where they are.	Free	H
CrowdVine	Social networking site that lets anyone create and customize a social network for their organization, event, or alumni group.	Free	H
Dolphin	Create your own free social network	Free	D	OS
DynaPortal	Turnkey web portal software suite with social networking	Ł	D
ektron CMS400.net	All-in-one forums, threaded discussions, & Message Boards	Ł	D	FT
Emerald InTouch	A range of collaborative technologies and social networking tools in one simple, easy-to-use, secure space	Free	H
FlashComs	Modern and effective web-based applications ready to power your web site or online community	Ł	D
FlockPod	On the spot interactions for social learning and content enrichment	Free	C
Google Friend Connect	Integrate social media apps into your existing web site	Free	C
Grou.ps	Platform for social groups to get together. Use it for any purpose. Choose your template and pick all the modules that you want (wiki, blogs, photos, links etc	Free	H
Groupsite	Social networking for groups	Free/Ł	H
GroupSwim	On-demand social collaboration and community for your business	Ł	H	FT
Huminity	Connecting Blogs, Chat and Social networking into the first Social Ecosystem	Free	D
Interact	Learning community environment	Free	D	OS

Jive	Enterprise social software to boost collaboration and build communities	Ł	D
Jyte	Create groups and share your online cred and claims with the people who matter.	Free	H
KickApps	KickApps-enabled website provides your visitors with a complete rich media community experience	Free	H
Kwiqq	Create communities, connect people and spread ideas. Develop a network for your company.	Ł	H
Lava Community	Start an online community in just a couple of minutes.	Ł	H	FT
Learning Makers	A new type of social network for educators that includes an advanced application for authoring engaging learning experiences	Free	H/D
Lithium	provides solutions for building successful enterprise communities, including forums, chat, and other social networking tools.	Ł	H
Livecommunity	Let your users communicate live on your website	Free	C
Mahara	e-portfolio, weblog, resume builder and social networking system	Free	D	OS
Myquire	Social networking and team collaboration tool	Free	H
Mzinga	Enterprise social networking/learning tool	Ł	H
Neetz	Create your own social network	Free	H
Obayoo	Private social network for your company: file sharing and microblogging	Free	H
OneSite	Customized white-label social networking partnership solutions	Ł	H
OpenAcademic	Suite of tools to create an academic website, workspaces, for file sharing, social networking, etc	Free	D	OS
OpenSocial	Provides a common set of APIs for social applications across multiple websites.	Free	C
Our Community Net	Offer your members chatrooms, forums, blogs, photo galleries and more	Ł	H	FT
PeopleAggregator	Social network web service	Free	D
Sakai Project	Collaboration and learning environment	Free	D	OS
SelectMinds	Provides private, secure Corporate Social Networking solutions	Free	H
Simpatico Networks	The home of next-generation social networking	Ł	H
Slinkset	Create your own social news network in seconds	Free	H
Small World Labs	Online social networking and professional networking software	Ł	H	FT
SnappVille	Powerful tool for anyone who wants to build their own social network! From hobbyists to small businesses and large enterprises	Free	H
SocialGO	Create a social networking website	Free/Ł	H
Social Platform	Complete platform for delivering branded, customized, high-end social applications	Ł	D
Sparta Social Networks	The standard in social network software	Ł	D
Spigit	Combining mathematics, technology, and subject matter experts to add relevance to online communities. (university and enterprise versions)	Free/Ł	H
Study Groups	Social project management tool aimed at students to help them to easily collaborate online and in person (in Facebook)	Free	H
TamTamy	Create your own Enterprise Social Network, quickly, easily and tailored to your needs, following Web 2.0 trends	Free/Ł	D/H
Visible Path	Manage your professional network and connect to your corporate network	Free/Ł	H
Vox	Blogging and social networking tool	Free	H
WebCrossing	Internet collaboration solution for online communities and project teams.	Ł	H
WebMember	For building your membership websites	Free	H
WorkLight WorkBook	A secure enterprise overlay for Facebook	Ł	H
YourMembership. com	Social Networking with an Organizational Focus	Ł	H
Yuku	Community software	Free	H
Zemble	Social networking site	Free	H
Zoji	Event planning and social networking tool	Free	H