Using Facebook to support learning

I’m rubbish at keeping track of what’s interesting on the internet. I’m fairly OK using Google’s Reader, but I’m not a fan of Forums or having to look in multiple places. It’s a trait that is shared with many of our young people. We’ve been using a Facebook page since September. It’s more or less a static page: it doesn’t allow a lot of interaction. However, what it does do is show up in young people’s Facebook feeds. Most of our students are engaged with the social networking site, and it makes sense to be engaged in it. Here is a little but of information about the page and how we are using it.

The set up:

Chat is turned off. This is unmoderated and difficult to record. I can’t see it ever being a good idea to use Facebook chat to communicate with young people.
All security settings are ramped up to maximum. This means comments are turned off.
The page has been set up using an alternative Facebook profile so there are no links to teachers’ personal pages.
The ‘Wall’ feed is also linked to our teacher Twitter account (@prorygeoggraphy)

What we use it for:

Links to take students back to our Google Site. As this sits behind a password, pupils can interact with it like a VLE. The Facebook feed acts as a reminder of activities.
News – especially about fieldtrips and other activities coming up.
Revision and homework links.
Links to Slideshare versions of lesson content and material
Placing photo examples of excellent work on the site, with names etc removed.

Worth it?

At the moment, early indications suggest yes it is. The number of interactions is growing and lesson materials are being downloaded more often than this time last year. Setting up a closed Facebook group to allow collaboration spaces could be another step forward in the future.

Comments

What makes a learning experience profound? Personal reflections and possible implications for classroom practice.

I have recently begun a Leadership Pathways journey. As part of the first core day, we were asked to reflect on a profound learning experience. This got me thinking about how many profound learning experiences I have both been involved in, and how many I have been able to give to others. Our group came up with a huge long list, but these are my five. Emotional Connected Demanding Reflective Collaborative As always, these are personal thoughts and quite mixed up. I put them here so that I can look back on them (plus they’d get lost inside my world-cup-free brain) 1. Emotional I can’t think of a time where deep learning hasn’t engaged my emotions. From being awe inspired to that tingle feeling when a student gets a light bulb moment. From this-is-the-happiest-day-ever, to I-think-I’m-about-to die. How often do we engage the emotions of those we teach? Here, I would argue that having a safe learning environment i...

Banned Word Board

Today I want to share some simple ideas that I have found to be very effective in the classroom. I can't say that they are my own original ideas, although I have played around with them. The first is the Banned word Board. This is a simple display in the classroom that lists a number of words that are not allowed to be used by pupils in their written or oral answers. The effect has been an increase in the quality of written work, and I have almost made comments such as 'Sir it's simple, the stuff just affects the thing and causes people problems'. Pupils are now more able to use specific language, something that is vital especially at GCSE. I have had to make a few modifications, such as the introduction of 'Heavenly Words' This is an additional display placed on the ceiling. I found this necessary as pupils needed some stimulus in finding replacement words. After advice received after posting the idea on the SLN forum , I have also introduced semi-banned words...

Year 10 need your help! Can we get Twitter and Facebook in to a GCSE project?

I’ve been told that social media has no place in the classroom. Now, this post is not to battle that argument head on. Let’s smash it. This week, Year 10 are visiting Hengistbury Head . They are investigating whether this piece of coastline should be protected. They are wondering what you think? You may know the location well, you may not know it at all. But we’d like to hear from you all the same. This will either result in some usable data and comments, or not. Either way, we'll know and I’m sure that your comments will help spark discussion in class! What would Year 10 like me to do? Just simply comment on this post or tweet me, with an answer to this question: ‘Should Hengistubury Head be protected from the Sea? Just answer Yes or No and give a brief reason. It would also be useful if you could tell us whether you know the area or not. Many thanks in anticipation…… Image – my own.

David Rogers

Search This Blog