I dont facebook
I still am trying to avoid some of these tools, but see how important they can be to students.
Facebook has evolved and although many people love it, I found myself overwhelmed by the amount of time that most people spend on this social network. I just recently, deactivated my Facebook about 4 months ago and it has been one of the best reliefs.
I work at a high school and I would get numerous requests of the students trying to be my friend and I would ignore them. As a result, I do not think Facebook is place that teachers and students should exchange conversations. Now if the Facebook page is for networking and a classroom forum then that is a different case. As for me, when I had my Facebook page available I did not communicate with colleagues either as I kept those lives separated.
I often hear that many people are not using Facebook and I can see why. For me, I feel that I am not as connected to my family or friends without Faceboook since most are posting their recent pictures here. In fact, many of my friends and family have only joined Facebook for this reason only.
I have also heard that employers might feel you have something to hide if you are not partaking in social media at all and do not have a Facebook page. I am not sure I agree with this comment, but I do find it difficult to refrain from social media in the online world we live in today.
Facebook is completely a social media site, that's why I don't have much confidence in it. It's a public opinion forum and should be regarded as such.
LinkedIn is a good site to connect with professionals and others in a field students are interested in.
Vallorie ,
Facebook may not be the best in connecting but LinkedIn is being used in all facets of business. Students are finding their internships and jobs through LinkedIn. We make our freshmen now setup a linked in site.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I can understand why facebook would not be valuable in a learning situation.
Facebook, in my thinking, isn't the best tool to use for social networking in a learning environment only because of what facebook represents in general.
I can understand how certain classes could benefit from having a facebook page in and of itself, but personally I would not use facebook.
It's very distracting, I find, when students are on it during class, but they think you don't know they're facebooking....
Eileen,
My LMS i my primary tool. I build around it. Us this strategy; start just with FB. Make sure you have an assessment plan and it matches your outcomes. Create a rubric to grade it. Use the rubric to drive student expectations. Assess the use of the tool. Then decide if it stays in your repertoire. Incorporate one at a time.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I am taking EL110 to ramp up my social media skills and whoa -- after reading these forums, I have discovered that I am WAY farther behind the times than I thought. I, too, feel as though FB and other social media tools are time monsters, yet the FB users on this forum are right: Social media is necessary in today's world. I reluctantly set up an FB page when I was seeking a particular freelance job (which I didn't land), and now that I'm trying to become an FB maven, I'm putting a LOT of time into that page -- time that I frankly don't have.
I'd like to try using FB with the new online class I'm teaching this fall and do like the idea of setting up a page specifically for the class. But besides the syllabus, what should I include? (Is that discussed in a future EL110 segment?) I already use Blackboard for blogging and discussion. Should I designate FB only for specific purposes or use it as an adjunct to Blackboard's tools?
Kendrick,
I hear this from other disciplines but as I teach in the college of business, this couldn't be farther from the truth. My students are interacting more with potential employees, finding internships, and developing an entrepreneurial impact all in the social media environment. We require all of our students to professionalize their Facebook and develop Linkedin accounts. Our employers tell us it is that important.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Ginger,
I agree it can be overwhelming. I would start with LinkedIn rather than facebook as a way to teach professionalism in social media.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Dr. Kimberly,
Thank you for sharing your information. I do think LinkedIn is more professional and it is so important for students to understand its role in the workplace.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Kim, while I believe in the network effect, I too choose not to use Facebook. Personally, I see it as a waste of time, as you do. However, if used properly, social media is a good way to make connections with people of similar interests. Unfortunately today, this has become the one of the most effective ways to connect with the younger generation.
Steven--
I understand your reluctance to dive into the social media pool. Sometimes I am overwhelmed by the amount of time it seemingly takes to create and maintain a social media presence. But, it is amazing to realize the connectivity and new vistas that are opened by social media outlets.
I do not Facebook either. I once did and found it to be a waste of my time. Seemingly, there were more people interested to share every aspect of their day rather than engaging in some meaningful conversation.
I expect more from my students than that. So, I challenge them with my Google+ site made specifically for me as their Professor. It's safe, effective, and you can avoid the monotony of today's "selfie poster child" found on Facebook.
Great discussion guys!
Dr. Kim Perkins
Andrew,
I don't mix. I use social networking quite a bit. I don't friend current students. If I use facebook in a class, I set it up separately. I also don't use LInkedIn to share personal information; that is not what is for. I understand your feelings regarding social networking.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I agree Tina! I try not to mix professional life with my personal social life and I just feel when I post to Facebook my family, students, and the world can see all the facts of my life. I am more of a protective, introvert when it comes to sharing and mixing these worlds so I choose not to...for better or worse.
Grace,
I understand that! I don't friend students but I do use LinkedIn and closed facebook sites to communicate with them.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Coming from a law enforcement background I am reluctant to be on facebook with students - however there are ways around it and in the context of the student learning it is beneficial.
Linda,
I agree with you as you don't feel the need to establish electronic relationships but your students for the most part do. There should be no such thing as busy work in a course for any student as that is not effective way of teaching or learning. Every, assignment, every technology, should have a learning purpose.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Hey Steven
It looks like I am in my element with people who don't do Facebook. I don't do facebook either, but I have a profile on Linked-in, twitter, and I have two blogs. I clearly see the value in social networking, and I see the value of integrating it into my classroom; however, there has to be a purpose for using any of them.
Just like you, I don't feel the need to establish electronic relationships. I still like the old-fashioned face-to-face. I like Linked-in specifically because it is a social networking system that I use strictly for buildling my brand as an educator and for connecting with employers and other colleagues.
