So we're here today to give you a push toward using Facebook in your classroom. With such widespread use and integration with all things Media, why shouldn't students be taught how to use it for learning Math, Science, or Language Arts and not just American Idol voting (yes, that's what I did, many times! Go Scotty!)
Classroom teacher Aimee Whitbread wrote a great article on the ways she uses Facebook with her seventh grade students (great age to teach social media in the classroom, they're over 13 and very curious). She recommends using Facebook in the classroom to demonstrate knowledge of geographic monuments, create fake businesses to experiment with entrepreneurship, promote and invented gadget for Science class, make a fanpage for a historic figure, or find information for a city or country in Social Studies class.
We understand that many teachers are weary of using Facebook in the classroom because of the lack of control. But fear not, Mrs. Whitbread recommends a site called Fakebook, which allows students to create fake Facebook pages that don't allow wall posts and commenting are not possible. Students and teachers are completely in control of what appears on the pages.
If you're still not convinced that Facebook in the classroom is worth the effort, look through several other articles and authors that discuss the advantages of these powerful learning tools:
-100 Ways You Should Be Using Facebook In The Classroom
-Majority Of Americans Now On Facebook
-Facebook For Parents
-10 Ways To Use Facebook As A Learning Tool
-Top 10 Educational Apps for Facebook
Also, go to Mrs. Whitbread's site to view some great student examples of Fakebook in her classroom!
