Susan Hawkins hawkinss@faytechcc.edu

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

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

Example Facebook Page

How is Facebook used?
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Communication (virtual and realtime)
Applications
Networking

Communications
Chat Box

Facebook as an Educational Tool
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Groups
Applications
Friends

Groups as an Educational Tool
Groups (Hawkins FTCC Group
Members)
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Creates one common page for all members
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Allows contact with students without exposing personal information
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Allows messages to be displayed to all members at the same time
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Creates an interactive environment for both online and face to face students
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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
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Links
Can post links to outside resources such as
Webinars and book supplements
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Discussion Board
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 also provide an engaging environment for students, which can mask the learning process

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

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

FARMVILLE

How does Farmville Work
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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 also have to consider the initial costs associated with planting each crop.

Combining These
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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
Allows the student to belong to a virtual community, which actually aids in student retention.

Web Tutorials for Facebook
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How to Start a Facebook Page: http://www.wikihow.com/Create-a-Facebook-
Profile
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How to Start a Facebook Group: http://www.wikihow.com/Create-a-New-
Facebook-Group
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Online PowerPoint Presentation Location: https://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0A
WNzKqqlJGsTZGZwOTRkZ2RfMzE0OXc2dnJ0Z mI&hl=en