So here's something that came to me today. I've learned that students who use Facebook don't check e-mail as much. Instead, they rely on Facebook as their primary method of online communication. In the past, if I needed to get information to students between classes, I would either post a note on the TWEN discussion board or send the students a direct e-mail through TWEN. This fall, though, I think I'm going to do one of two things (haven't quite decided yet):
- Use the blog that I set up for podcasts through CALI for updates. Students can check the blog if they want for the updates. They can also add it to an RSS reader if they check on of those regularly. Or they can add the RSS feed application on Facebook, and have the updates post directly to their Facebook page.
OR
- Use The Wall on my Facebook profile page to post the messages/updates. Then students would get that information when they check their Facebook News Feed to see what their Facebook Friends have been up to. Of course, to do that, they would have to add me as a Facebook Friend, and I'm not sure I want to do mandate that. That has a very "creepy treehouse" feel to it.
It's about getting the information to them where they are instead of making them go someplace else to get the information. A few years ago, my student evaluations mentioned universally how much they appreciated getting e-mails and TWEN message board postings between classes. This past year, several evals mentioned that they didn't like having to check their e-mail for course info. It's possible that using Facebook would be a solution since it wouldn't require students to do something they're not already doing.
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I joined Facebook about six months ago because I felt as if there was relevant information regarding law school issues that I was missing by not having an account. The SBA maintains a group page and it gives many of us a place to raise critical issues. Recently, I joined our school's Career Services Office page. I could not tell anyone even where that office exists in the law school building. However, for the past three weeks I have found myself reading the page everyday. I have learned that the CSO is an amazing resource for law students I found this out through facebook.
As a high school teacher, I and many of my teaching colleagues have an on-going debate about facebook and "friending" students. I have made it a point to never initiate the online friendship. Yet I will always accept a student's request to "friend." Generally, I think students are honored when teachers accept them as "friends." As teachers if we take the step to enter the facebook world, we need to be aware that students will find us. And yes, many of them want to know us. I do acknowledge the risk of the creepy treehouse thing; yet, I think that is more relevant to places like Myspace and Friendster.Even a cursory look at the groups on Facebook shows that the focus has a higher political, socially aware emphasis.
If a law professor were to post info on facebook, just think there would be absolutely no more excuses for "why I did not get the updated assignment."!!!
How about creating a Facebook page for the class that the students can become "fans" of? That way you'll be able to push info to them without having to friend them.
That might be technically more "creepy treehouse", but less invasive than basically requesting access to their profiles.
You are not alone. Business people don't know how to deal with the new influx of millennials. There are many issues and concerns on both sides - see my article on http://blog.startupprofessionals.com titled "Facebook or Faceoff" for details.
Marty Zwilling, Founder & CEO, Startup Professionals, Inc.
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