In our world today, most people are a part of social networking sites to stay connected with friends or talk with family. But can a social networking sight, such as Facebook, actually be helpful for kids in school? A study from the University of Maryland shows that spending time on sites like Facebook "might help kids in school by helping students build important bonds with friends".
Some educators, such as Christine Greenhow, believe that the participation of teens on online sites could encourage creativity and technical skills. She also comments that "social media can make the lessons more relevant and meaningful".
In order to take this experiment to the next level, high school science teacher Susan Domanico used a few different online sites to post presentations that she recorded so that students could refer to them as a resource when studying. Some teacher also use Ning for uploading homework, sharing information with parents, and connecting with other teachers.
But some are not too keen on this idea.
There is still debate on whether teachers should be allowed to use social networking sites because of the harassment, cyberbullying, and inappropriate materials that may be exposed to the students using the sites.
So in some ways, Facebook could be used to help students access learning materials and homework assignments, but the different problems that could arise from using these social networking sites has some people turned off.
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Based off of current times, I will hazard to agree that Facebook can offer a lot of much needed homework help. However, I don not think that the whole friendship thing is as big a plus. Warning, if you do not like comments that border on a sermon, read no further. I am relatively new to Facebook, but so far it seems to me that you can be a "friend" to anyone on the internet. I have seen many of my friends profiles and have seen people in the friends column that I know for a fact that my friends never talk to. I myself have one person in my friends list who I don't really even know. This is where the "I have more friends then you" competition should shed some light on certain aspects. Yes, Facebook is a great tool to communicate through and to get information, but to make friends? My position is if I don't know you in the physical world in addition to the world of the web, we are closer to acquaintances then friends. If you need to have companionship, go outside and meet somebody and get to know them. I know it is hard to introduce yourself to someone new, but it is much more rewarding then clicking "confirm." Facebook is a valuable tool for homework, but if I met you on the internet, all I've really met is a photo with your name attached to it. I haven't met you. Main point: Facebook can be a great tool and should be used further academic ventures and ADD TO social experiences. I support people who say it could be useful (within reason).
i think it would be cool to have videos on facebook of lessons that teachers had but i dont think fully its a great idea because u would most likely have to add the teacher profile to see the video and i dont know if i would really want to add a teacher as a friend on facebook because I wouldn't want them to keep checking up on my facebook .
I guess my old comment got deleted, so I will just comment again. I think Facebook would be a great tool to be used for academic gains, but I do not agree that it gives people much needed companionship. When you talk with someone on Facebook, it goes through the web first and must be routed so it lands on a site where everyone can see it. You are not talking to one person, but to the entire viewing public. Granted, there is a chat menu, but the majority of what is said goes to the public viewing. I will add that I am relatively new to Facebook so please correct me if I am wrong. I just think that if you want to meet someone, you should go outside and meet someone instead of sitting home at a computer where all you meet is a photo and a name (please don't use video chat as a loophole to this. It is still over the net so I am counting it in what I said previously). So in summary, I am all for using Facebook as a way to further education and add to the social experience of high school, but not as the only social experience that someone has and certainly not to meet new people. If I know you in the physical and online world, then you are a friend. If I met you online, I don't really know you at all.
Facebook being used as a tool for education purposes would probably be a great opportunity for kids, especially high school students. There are many positives to this. For example, as technology becomes more of a staple in our world it is important that students know how to connect with others and utilize the internet properly and appropriately. This is turn could provide great skills for those who aren't the best with computers. However I also can see a down side. By having lessons on Facebook specifically, I could see this as an excuse for students to get on Facebook and instead of doing work, chatting with their friends. In addition, like a previous comment said about having "a teacher as a friend" would be very awkward and crossing the boundary of a student and teacher relationship. Therefore, I do think it is a great idea and with more thought and organization it can be a helpful tool for students and teachers.
Well, there are certainly two sides to this. The most obvious one is instant access to information. Facebook, being a part of the internet, allows instant exchange of information which might allow kids to learn faster. However, the variable here is distraction from misinformation and overload of information. Facebook is not like Google, where you can simply type in a question and expect to find some relevant and accurate response.
Also, certainly, where is the line drawn for the relationship between students and teachers? Certainly, students are supposed to go to teachers for help, but Facebook, a 24/7 access, is this a breach of the student's privacy, and also more work than needed for the teachers?
Facebook, in my opinion, would probably only be a little useful. It's great to promote companionship and communication, but I really don't think it would help academically. Facebook is a huge distraction. First there's the option of chatting and writing on eachother's walls. Then there are also all those games such as Farmville. Students would get easily distracted.
In addition, there are many free websites that are great teaching tools. For example, this blog. It's a great way for all of us students to interact academically. There's also Quizlet and things like that. There are many options that teachers can use with their students. Facebook seems more of a personal thing. It's social networking for fun, and I think that should be seperate from school and teachers.
Facebook is a great social networking tool. It is great for people who want to stay in touch with their friends. But I do not think it is a place for academics. Kids don't go on Facebook looking for academics; they go on it to share things with their friends or talk about stuff that interests them. Academics and Facebook do not mix well together so why bother with it. I do believe that putting educational things on the internet is a great idea, but that is what Schoolloop is for. We don't need to get Facebook involved with academics; it is completely unnecessary.
Hmmm, I'm not quite sure facebook and education particularly go hand in hand. I agree that the attempt to post academic resources on the site is a good way for students and teachers to stay connected, but only in theory. I feel some potential negative effects would occur if facebook was an integral part of the curriculum. For example, facebook is extremely counterproductive to school work, and many students can vouch for that. An excuse to go on facebook can be the kiss of death for any student unable to resist the temptation of procrastination. Also, what happened to the days when students went to teachers for help when they need it? Us children of the cyber age really don't need another excuse to be introverted and anti-social
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