aPPLICATIONS
12
Create a Class Facebook Group
Facebook is known as a place to post status updates, announcements, photos, and video — all things that we likely use in our classes anyway. Create a Facebook group for each class, on which you can post assignments, make announcements, and remind students about important deadlines. Parents can also access the site to monitor what is going on in your class.
A Facebook group also creates a space for students to ask and answer questions. When students get home and begin working on their homework, they can post a question to the group’s wall that either you or a classmate can answer. Since students often learn from others, having students share their questions, insights, or experiences with a topic can expand learning for other students. In short, it extends the classroom discussion beyond the classroom.
A Facebook group is also ideal for teachers using the flipped classroom. Post videos, photos, documents, and other resources on the group’s wall so that students can access them before class or while working on their assignments.
Of course, content management systems can offer the same opportunities for announcements and resources. However, because many older students and parents already have Facebook on their phones and tablets, they have constant access to course information without having to log in to a completely different system.