M4.6 - Facebook Reflection

How do you see a Facebook page as adding value to the learning environment that you are creating? 

 

This question is difficult for me. I have used Facebook for several years to stay in contact with a small network of people – Family and Friends. As I worked through this week’s learning objectives, I started to see how the Facebook page for a community of learners could be useful. I created a page separate from my personal page for Tech Support Learners to collaborate, find useful tools and resources, and to stay in touch with other learners for possible employment opportunities. So, I would have to say that the added value is what we can use beyond the classroom – the ability to learn with fellow colleagues beyond taking a course together. We can stay in touch and continue the professional relationships we build in class far beyond the normal learning environment. We can learn new techniques together and share for today, tomorrow, and the years to come.

Given that you would use private pages for internal postings, are there ways that you would try to encourage an ongoing community or commitment through the Facebook venue?

 

I would encourage an ongoing community by introducing my students to the page in Facebook. I would create assignments for them to share on the wall in Facebook for the community that I have created. I would encourage the continued collaboration for future use. I would also recommend the page to fellow Instructors in my department.

I always say to my students, “How do we set the world on fire? It only takes a spark!” I wish I knew who originally said this but it was shared many years ago with me by a teacher I had in high school. I hold this saying dear to me as it is so true. It only takes a single idea or statement to set everything in motion. Sometimes we have to continue to fan the flames of good ideas but once that spark is lit, look out at what can come!

How would you plan on maintaining such an outward-facing social presence? 

 

To maintain this page, I would need to collaborate with other members in the learning community that would have a stake in the continuation of this page. I would share administration privileges with them so they can maintain the site. I would probably need to start a charter and bylaws of rules for the community to help assure the intent and continuation with good faith far beyond my involvement.

Would you maintain this yourself or share the responsibilities with the learners in your environment?   

I would have to share the responsibility with fellow learners and collaborators. The only way for this page to continue is to maintain a source of fresh ideas and content. The page can’t go stagnant.