Net, Blogs and Rock’n’Roll

So you thought MySpace was the only place to go for social networking and music?

In this forthcoming book, psychologist David Jennings provides information about how people behave online when it comes to music, and why.

On 24^th September (or today if you order through Amazon UK), and sometime in October in the USA, a new book with that title will be published. I’ve been sent a preview copy. I haven’t had a chance to complete it yet, but so far it is looking good.

The author, David Jennings, is a psychologist, and the book is about social networking in the sphere of music. Put the two together and you end up with a fascinating insight into the way different groups see themselves and behave.

I’m finding it really interesting, and part of the reason is that David brings a different perspective to the Web 2.0 landscape from the one we’re more used to in education. Studying people’s behaviour is always interesting, and this book is no exception.

I am also enjoying discovering new resources through the book, such as www.last.fm, which makes it possible for you to create your own music playlist and share it with the world. In fact, I came across this through Skype, which – in the paid-for version – has a last.fm facility for showing what music you are listening to in the status bar next to your name. I’m not sure how I feel about that on a personal level, but I can see that if you are looking to make friends with people who share similar musical tastes to your own, that’s a pretty good start.

Although I haven’t read enough of the book to wholeheartedly recommend it, I would say that it is very readable, insightful and probably a useful addition to the bookshelf of the ICT (educational technology) teacher.

I do, however, have one criticism. Why is there no index of resources? I have resorted to jotting down the names of websites in a notebook as I’m reading the book. Note to publishers: if you bring out a second edition, please add a page of website addresses!

Still, there is information on the author’s website (http://www.netblogsrocknroll.com/) and in another site referenced by him: http://rocketsurgeon.squarespace.com/display/ShowJournal?moduleId=1376313&categoryId=117105.

To purchase this book, which costs just over a tenner in the UK, click here. Alternatively, to purchase it from Amazon USA at just under $16, click here.

This preview was first published in Computers in Classrooms, the free online newsletter. Click here for a free sample or to subscribe.