Thoughts on Facebook

I have gone back in forth in my head over to Facebook or not to Facebook. Here is what I have come to conclude. I think that Facebook has great networking possibilities for educators. It has great features and a lot of the other web 2.0 sites that we have learned about in class are easily compatible. I was also impressed with the security choices that it offers.

I do believe that this is a good tool to use in the classroom, however. Many of the students may already have an account at home but I believe that no matter how well a teacher teaches students how to appropriately use social networking tool there will always be students who misuse them, especially if there is not adequate parental supervision at home. I think that it would be different if the students were only able to use it at school.

My other issue is that most of my friends from high school and college are avid Facebook users and many are still in the "college mindset". Facebook can be great for catching up with old friends but I would rather separate my personal and professional networking.

After talking to a teen about how he uses Facebook I have learned that there are a few features that he likes. The thing that he likes the most is being able to keep in touch with his friends even if he know that they are not able to be reached via cell phone. He can post to someone's wall and know that they will check it and get back to him. He also likes that he can share pictures with his friends and keep up with what is going on at the school. When asked if that meant the school "gossip" he replied,"I don't gossip. That is for all of the crazy girls. I just "catch up" with my friends." (To me it is still gossip no matter what you call it ;)) I asked how long he typically spends a day on Facebook and I was surprised to hear that he only spends about an hour or less. I guess he is just quick at "catching up".