Facebook for Student Success Susan Hawkins

What is Facebook An online social networking service An online social networking service Allows users to contact friends, co- workers, or anyone with an account / page Allows users to contact friends, co- workers, or anyone with an account / page An Internet based communication tool An Internet based communication tool A tool our students are actually using A tool our students are actually using

How Many Facebook Users are There? Over 300 million active users Over 300 million active users The fastest growing demographic is those 35 years and older The fastest growing demographic is those 35 years and older More than 8 billion minutes are spent on Facebook each day. More than 8 billion minutes are spent on Facebook each day.

Example Facebook Page

How is Facebook used? Communication (virtual and real- time) Communication (virtual and real- time) Applications Applications Networking Networking

Communications Chat Box

Facebook as an Educational Tool

Groups Groups Applications Applications Friends Friends

Groups as an Educational Tool Groups (Hawkins FTCC Group Members)  Creates one common page for all members  Allows contact with students without exposing personal information  Allows messages to be displayed to all members at the same time  Creates an interactive environment for both online and face to face students  Is housed in a forum that students are familiar with and frequenting

Groups Communication Announcements appear on each group member / student’s home page Students can use the chat function; great for immediate answers to assignment questions

Group Page Chat Boxes

Groups Links Links Can post links to outside resources such as Webinars and book supplements Discussion Board Discussion Board Conversations can be initiated concerning a variety of current topics students can participate regardless of their class. Conversations can be initiated concerning a variety of current topics students can participate regardless of their class.

Link and Discussion Page Link Page Events Page

Applications as an Educational Tool Applications These provide opportunities for students to use skills which enhance their understanding of classroom theories. These provide opportunities for students to use skills which enhance their understanding of classroom theories. These also provide an engaging environment for students, which can mask the learning process These also provide an engaging environment for students, which can mask the learning process

Educational? They encourage thinking They encourage thinking Cause students to put into practice what they have learned Cause students to put into practice what they have learned Helps them create strategies Helps them create strategies Helps in scheduling and time management Helps in scheduling and time management

As a Class Project Farmville  Students had to create a farm of their own  They had to “work” on the farm for the semester  A grade is given to students based on the experience point level they achieve.  The more effort the student contributes the higher the grade

FARMVILLE

How does Farmville Work Students have to plant crops with different maturity rates and different payouts Students have to plant crops with different maturity rates and different payouts They have to determine which maturity times they can work with and which one of these has the greatest payoff. They have to determine which maturity times they can work with and which one of these has the greatest payoff. They also have to consider the initial costs associated with planting each crop. They also have to consider the initial costs associated with planting each crop.

Combining These Requiring this type of “game” in the classroom encourages student to gain computer skills without being intimidated Requiring this type of “game” in the classroom encourages student to gain computer skills without being intimidated It also encourages logging in to Facebook which allows better communication It also encourages logging in to Facebook which allows better communication Allows the student to belong to a virtual community, which actually aids in student retention. Allows the student to belong to a virtual community, which actually aids in student retention.

Web Tutorials for Facebook How to Start a Facebook Page: How to Start a Facebook Page: Profile How to Start a Facebook Group: How to Start a Facebook Group: Facebook-Group Online PowerPoint Presentation Location: WNzKqqlJGsTZGZwOTRkZ2RfMzE0OXc2dnJ0Z mI&hl=en Online PowerPoint Presentation Location: WNzKqqlJGsTZGZwOTRkZ2RfMzE0OXc2dnJ0Z mI&hl=en