Facebook in the Classroom

We mentioned yesterday that one little known fact about Facebook is that founder Mark Zuckerburg created a high school version after expanding out of most colleges and universities. Zuckerburg believed it was the, "next logical step."

Logic would say then, that Facebook would grow in its use in schools and classrooms in a similar way that it's grown everywhere else. The truth is, Facebook is a conundrum in education. Teachers are often pushed to use and incorporate technology, but also punished if the technology crosses an invisible and ambiguous line between teacher and student.   

As teachers, we need more examples, guides, and instructions of how to use tools, like Facebook, in the classroom. Although there are many stories of schools and districts banning Facebook, there are just as many success stories and examples of using Social Media for good.

If teachers were more aware of the things Facebook can be used for, instead of the rare downfalls (which all tools and resources have), they are more likely to use it. Teachers could use Facebook to:

• Make announcements
• Share interesting websites
• Post homework
• Share class notes
• Send messages
• Upload multimedia
• Schedule events
• Create groups
• Follow authors
• Make your own news source
• Share book reviews

For a list of how-to videos to get you started, visit the Facebook YouTube Channel. For more specific ways to use Facebook in the classroom, read EmergingEdTech's article on Facebook in the Classroom. 

For a simple 7 minute step-by-step video for setting up your own Facebook group, watch Facebook for your Classroom in 7 Minutes.