Posts
I would have never thought to use facebook in the classroom. I have read about all of the uses of facebook however is it the right technology for the classroom?
Will Richardson has some great ideas for using facebook and getting students engaged in learning. The most important idea is to set up a private group so that students in your class can only talk to each other. Facebook reminds me of a classroom blog and has many of the same benefits of a blog.
There is one problem that many schools have this site blocked on the computers because facebook can be used inappropriately and students could become friends of strangers. Then we have to worry about safety of the students.
Richardson tells a story about a teacher who uses facebook in a high school history class. His students were engaged and the enrollment of his class increase considerably. He says that facebook built a strong classroom community and the private site continued even after the class ended. (p. 137) Richardson also explains how a high school library uses facebook for library services. The library is able to post information about the library, information about books and even videos. If you think about it what better place to put information about books. If students are always reading facebook they could read a book review and be attracted to a book.
I think facebook would be a way to get students involved but I am not convinced that school districts and parents would "go for it". What are your thoughts?
Richardson, W (2010) Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and other powerful web tools for classrooms. Corwin a Sage Co.
I agree, Facebook would be a great avenue. The students are probably very versed in how to use Facebook and probably would even help set up the page (or thought - have making the page a class group project). However, like you said the fact that Facebook is blocked could pose a problem or it might be the solution. If Facebook is blocked, the students would have to work on the assignments that you post (or the comments) at home. I think some would welcome it and some would not.
ReplyDeleteThe USAF EC has a Facebook page and I tell my students to "like us" but I normally only do that because inclement weather procedures are posted there and I normally add a comment to that post.
I am not convinced either.
I really like the idea of using facebook in the classroom, but I think there are other options that could be used.
ReplyDeleteFor example, Edmodo is set up very similarly to Facebook so it's an easy transition to go from one to another.
I think there would be too much reservation from the administration to use it. Most parents would probably be receptive of it, but you always have those extreme parents who would feel very strongly about even the word "facebook."
From a middle school perspective, I'm not sure my students would be ready to handle using Facebook just yet.