Thing #18

I created MySpace and Facebook accounts years ago, so I am quite comfortable using these social networking sites.  I haven't been on MySpace in a few months so I will talk about Facebook in this blog.  It is a really neat site with many applications.  I would highly recommend people to set one up.  What I like most about Facebook is that you can keep up with friends from all over the world.  You can access your site from all over the world, too.  It is a great way to keep in touch with family and old friends that have moved away or that you just don't see that often.  You can post videos, pictures, and statuses that keep your friends and family up to date with what is going on in your life.  You can add schools to your profile as well.  I have APSU added as one of my schools and the high school I attended as another one of my schools.  To find friends and family, you type their name into the search box and look through the list of people with that same name.  You send them a request to become your friend on the site.  They have the choice to either accept or deny your friend request.  I have my profile set to private meaning only those who are friends with me can view my full profile.        


http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=534130550


I think it is important for teachers to know how social networking works because they need to know what is going on.  Their students and co-workers will be using sites like these so it is a good idea for them to understand how they work and why people use them.  I didn't really learn anything new from exploring Facebook simply because I have had an account for a few years.  The only thing I dislike about Facebook is that the privacy settings aren't that strict.  They are in the sense that no one can view your full profile if you so choose.  But I don't want anyone viewing even my profile picture and status who is not my friend.  I think Facebook has the most useful features, but MySpace is adapting and adding features as of late.  I think it is good for students and teachers to have these social networking sites, but I would not want to use them in my classroom.  You could try using them in the classroom, but I think more students would be talking to their friends online than actually doing what you wanted them to.