Facebook

ST: New Literacies in Action

After reading the selection on Facebook in Kist's "The Socially Networked Classroom" (pg.97-99), Kist poses some interesting questions. Here are my responses:

1. Is Facebook mainly for fun or can it be used for educational purpose?

Facebook is mainly used for fun activities, but it can be used for educational purposes. Libraries or teachers have a Facebook page where they post information concerning what was learned in class, extra credit assignments, or summer/ holiday break practice. This allows students to communicate with other students and the teacher about what they are learning. It taps into something they are interested in (Facebook) and gets them excited about the concept they are learning. You could also use Facebook as a way of becoming a character in a book or summarizing a person's life as you create their Facebook page and think about what other characters or people of that time period might post on their wall. You could even do this with paper and pen if Facebook is blocked at your school.

2. Is it appropriate for students and teachers to "friend" each other on Facebook or Twitter? Why or why not?

This is tricky to answer. I would say that if you know the student and trust them, there is no problem. I think especially students who are in extracurricular activities with a teacher or coach may use Facebook or Twitter to communicate more often. However, the best rule of thumb is once they have graduated their class or left the school, if you really want to play it safe. I think that students like to be in touch with past teachers and occasionally leave "hello" and "miss you" on your pages which is nice.

3. Does Social Networking become "ruined" when used for homework reminders or another school based task?

I don't think so. Students are so used to cell phone and communication through those media. When a snow day canceled the Power of the Pen tournament last year, I was able to text message the team and get replies back from them quickly and then call the one or two who didn't have a cell phone. I knew they got the message, and they could write back to me about it if they had further questions. Students can ignore homework texts just as much as ones from people they don't like, so it doesn't "ruin" anything.