Uses at School

APPROPRIATE:

As a research resource, i.e. Barack Obama

Traditional resources have created a Facebook presence. i.e.PBS, School Library Journal

Even search engines have presence on Facebook i.e. Google

Teacher publishes notes for students and parents to see.

Webpage evolution = FrontPage, Dot.Net.Nuke, Wiki, Facebook

Students might use Facebook to schedule a study session.

Students create a Facebook page for a report (Landrum students and Caddo Indians)

Students might use Facebook as a way to write – those students who do not like to write but will keyboard almost anything.

Elementary students might collaborate with different grades in their school - a 1st grade class has book buddies with a 5th grade class.

Teachers need to teach students how to choose friends and the idea that they can be un-friended as well.

This is similar to teaching students how to protect themselves with strangers.

Great article about research of high school students and social networking (advantages to education).

Article about Facebook being used to create a Hollywood animation film.

INAPPROPRIATE:

Cyber bullying

Post inappropriate pictures

             Of self

             Of others

             Modesty vs. not

             Copyright vs. not

Language - not only the problem of profanity, but the difference between informal (IM) vs. formal language and when each is appropriate or not.

Caveat: Teachers need to use appropriate language. Even though social networking is informal, teachers must never be informal with students.

Great article for educators to read: Preventive Law Corner - Your Space, MySpace – Social Networking Legal Update