Using Facebook as an educational tool
I have been using Facebook since the start of the 2011-12 academic year. The idea started after a training day by Tom Barrett (@tombarrett) and it has worked extremely well so far. Essentially, I have two Facebook profiles, one for IB and one for GCSE. I wouldn't offer this to students who are any younger as there are age restriction issues.
I use the application to post updates and articles relating to both courses. Within each profile I have two groups e.g. within the GCSE page, I have one group for Y10 and another for Y11. Essentially, this allows me to target those students with information that is applicable to them and so that I don't 'overpost' too much stuff on their profiles.
Examples of how I use Facebook.
IB - Students have to post an opening 'impact statement' for an essay question. Each student can comment on their classmates statement and if I approve, I simply 'Like' it or make a comment if I think it needs to be improved. This is an engaging way to get the students to use the service and gives me the access to their ideas without having to exchange individual emails. Peer support is also encouraged in this way and the IB students seem to be incredibly encouraging of each other.
IB & GCSE - I also create Facebook events for important coursework or examination dates. The Facebook service will then remind students in advance of the submission date and hopefully gives them the reminder needed to meet their deadline.
IB & GCSE - I post reminders of important homework deadlines and post links to new BBC articles or YouTube clips that may be of use to the students depending on what is being taught.
IB - Competitions - I will use Facebook from time to time to launch a competition or if I am feeling generous (or the IB students look exhausted), I will post a message on the group site and set them a time limit to 'like' the comment. If they all get back to me in the next hour, I don't set a homework task or I have to bring in some cake the next lesson. Nothing really to do with education, but a nice way to keep the students motivated and onside.
I use the application to post updates and articles relating to both courses. Within each profile I have two groups e.g. within the GCSE page, I have one group for Y10 and another for Y11. Essentially, this allows me to target those students with information that is applicable to them and so that I don't 'overpost' too much stuff on their profiles.
Examples of how I use Facebook.
IB - Students have to post an opening 'impact statement' for an essay question. Each student can comment on their classmates statement and if I approve, I simply 'Like' it or make a comment if I think it needs to be improved. This is an engaging way to get the students to use the service and gives me the access to their ideas without having to exchange individual emails. Peer support is also encouraged in this way and the IB students seem to be incredibly encouraging of each other.
IB & GCSE - I also create Facebook events for important coursework or examination dates. The Facebook service will then remind students in advance of the submission date and hopefully gives them the reminder needed to meet their deadline.
IB & GCSE - I post reminders of important homework deadlines and post links to new BBC articles or YouTube clips that may be of use to the students depending on what is being taught.
IB - Competitions - I will use Facebook from time to time to launch a competition or if I am feeling generous (or the IB students look exhausted), I will post a message on the group site and set them a time limit to 'like' the comment. If they all get back to me in the next hour, I don't set a homework task or I have to bring in some cake the next lesson. Nothing really to do with education, but a nice way to keep the students motivated and onside.
