Facebook objective is “to help you connect and share with the people in your life“. At the same time, Facebook is one of the fastest growing social networks that helps people communicate efficiently with their friends, families, coworkers, and classmates.
- 50% of Facebook’s active users log on to Facebook in any given day.
- Average user is connected to 80 community pages, groups and events.
Some of them are your learners and they know how to use Facebook effectively! Using Facebook for e-Learning could inspire many of our students to learn. As a result, my question is how can we use Facebook for e-Learning?For an e-Learning course I would prefer a Facebook group instead of a Facebook page. Groups could be closed (customize group settings) and they can be used for courses and projects. On a class group page you can add links, videos, discussion threads, photos, create events and send group messages. On the other hand, pages are opened and they are used more for promotion and branding.
This were my first thoughts for using Facebook for e-Learning. However, I was not that convinced about using Facebook for e-Learning. Facebook was not created to be used as a learning environment and for sure I wanted more learning features! As a result, I begun a research concerning Educational Application to achieve a better learning outcome.
The list with Facebook Edu-Apps that it follows is not in particular order. I have separated the Edu-Apps based on the three types of interaction.
I highly encourage you to leave a commend if you know any other Facebook Educational Application.
Facebook for e-Learning : 20 educational applicationshttp://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=facebookfore-learning20educationalapplications-110109114236-phpapp02&rel=0&stripped_title=facebook-for-elearning-20-educational-applications&userName=CPappasOnline
1) Interactions between Learner and Content
SlideShare
You can create and share presentation on Facebook. At the same time you can add documents, PDFs, add MP3 audio to make webinars!
Flashcards
You can create flashcards to help you study on Facebook.
NewsRack
A fully featured RSS reader that can be used as a standalone client with Google Readers. You can share information relevant to your course with your learners.
Mathematical Formulas
You can distribute mathematical formulas and solutions to your learners. Learners can see the formulas even if they did not add the application.
Events Calendar
You can create, edit and maintain a monthly calendar on your profile and share it with your learners.
Zoho Online Office
You can have all your office files such as documents, spreadsheets, presentations online and share them with your learners.
WorldCat
You can do research, catalog your library’s collection and of course share it with your learners.
UdutuLearn
Lets you views courses that you have been given access to and shows your progress.
Files
You can access your files from anywhere and share important work files with your learners. Files is powered by Box.net.
2) Interactions between Learner and Instructor
SurveyGizmo
You can create surveys, polls and quizzes and send them to your classmates on Facebook.
Webinaria Screencast Recorder
You can create screencast tutorials or record video presentation for sharing with your learners.
UdutuTeach
This application allows you to import courses from myUdutu (authoring tool). You can manage which learners can take your course and track the learners’ progress.
Quiz Monster
Create your own quiz Facebook application!
Skype Me
Your learners could see when you are online (Virtual Office Hours) and talk or chat with you for free!
3) Interactions between Learner and Learners
Books iRead
Share the books that you are reading with your classmates. See what they think!
BookTag
This application let you create arbitrary book lists, label them and share them with your classmates.
StudyGroups
Quickly and easily collaborate with your classmates and plan out homework for your courses.
Koofers
Share your old tests, quizzes, and study guides with other students.
PeerPong
Discover everyone’s expertise and connects you with the best person to answer any question.
Neat Chat
Learners can chat on Facebook groups and pages. They can share files, send private message and do much more through a fast and intuitive interface. Also, group administrators can ban users from their chat rooms!
After reviewing all these applications I came to the conclusion that Facebook could be used in the learning process. In my opinion, we can not use Facebook as a Learning Management System but we can use Facebook as a tool that will enhance/support an e-Learning course.
The new eFront come with a rich set of social tools that facilitate the social learning process together with an easy-to-use Facebook integration plugin!
If you are interested to explore how can you use Facebook for e-Learning you can join our Facebook Group “Facebook for e-Learning“.
The following presentation explores the potential uses of Facebook for teaching and motivating collaboration between students (Update 11/08/2010: suggested by David Leal)
Guys, do not forget to leave a comment.
