Facebook as an Instructional Technology Tool Web 2.0 Advocate Jennifer Edwards Spring Semester 2011

NETS-S Communication and Collaboration Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. Students: interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats nets ADVANCING DIGITAL-AGE TEACHING

What is Facebook? A social networking service in which users create a personal profile, add other users as friends, and exchange messages, including automatic notifications when they update their profile. Additionally, users may join common interest user groups, organized by workplace, school or college, or other characteristics.

Facebook in the Classroom According to www.emerginedtech.com Facebook can constructively be integrated into the classroom by creating “Groups” for specific topics.

…continued By doing this, personal information is not shared, students do not have to “Friend” anyone, and only those included in the “Groups” are communicating with each other.

…continued Facebook would ultimately be used to facilitate group discussions that some students would not be willing to participate in otherwise.

…continued Since students are already familiar with Facebook and its environment, this tool could significantly enhance learner motivation and engagement.

One Example: Mrs. Smith’s class is having difficulty engaging in group discussions about a recent novel they just read. In order to motivate the students, Mrs. Smith creates a “group” on Facebook that is comprised only of those students in her class. Here the students can post a summary of the novel, start discussions and conversations about various plots, settings, events, etc. within the novel.

…continued Not only is group discussion encouraged, the students are extremely motivated to participate. It also helps with their writing as well as keyboarding.

Our ultimate goal as educators is to get students involved in their education. Facebook is a great way to facilitate communication between students and teachers to enhance learner motivation and engagement.

Don’t let fear of the unknown inhibit the endless possibilities Facebook in the classroom has to offer our students.