Facebook

Facebook is a platform for social networking that makes it easier for human to communicate and share online with others. Facebook was originally developed for college students and founded by Mark Zuckerberg in 2004 while he was enrolled at Harvard University. By 2006, someone with a valid email address over the age of 13 may join Facebook. Today, Facebook with more than 1 billion users worldwide, is the world's largest social network. Since many users are using Facebook, so it can be very useful to be used as educational platform. People from worldwide can easily join any discussions, learn something new, and watch any educational video or live created by a teachers. It is free and can be used by any ages as long as they are above 13 years old. It is available in website and application version.

Facebook has many benefits to teachers, students and friends.

For Teachers: Since major of people are having Facebook, so it is very easy for teacher to reach out students and parents. In addition, the communication between channels is available for 24 hours. Teachers can easily set up announcement, update reminders of upcoming exams, upcoming due dates, or news about the classroom. So, it is very easy for any discussion in public post or personal message to be done between teachers and others. Teachers can upload images, videos and links that can be watched by their students. Teachers also can make a live of their teaching and there is no limit for students to join and watch that live. Lastly, it can improve teacher’s technological skills. Teachers can use Facebook as a way of entertaining and guiding students with technologies.

For Students: Students can collaborate in the class by uploading their work into the Facebook and it can be seen by other students. From that, they also can learn with others and make discussion or share thoughts between each other or with the teacher. It is very interesting to discuss and learn using Facebook than learn in the class. Besides, it can promote computer literacy skills in students. Facebook can also be used to help students improve their writing and communication skills. Lastly, Facebook provide students to contact with teachers directly. Via Facebook, teachers and students can contact each other, creating an opportunity for better knowledge sharing, and encouraging better teaching and learning relationships.

For Parents: Parents are easy to communicate with teachers since most parents have Facebook account. Besides, parent can easily see what their children learn through the posts by their teachers. Lastly, they also can keep updated about their child’s progress.

This is the video on how to use Facebook.

In conclusion, Facebook opens new doors for students and helps them to improve their skills and knowledges. Schools or teachers that limit or ban Facebook as their educational tools will lose out on a great opportunity to use social networking to encourage students to learn and share in a straightforward way through technology.

Reference

Admin. (2020). Introduction. Retrieved from https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/facebook101/getting-started-with-facebook/1/