Using Facebook as a Social and Professional Networking Tool

Teacher Facebook Page

I have used many social networks, but have settled in to using Facebook on a regular basis, mainly because most people, businesses, and associations that I know or with whom I associate are there.  I have a personal Facebook page, which I use to keep in touch with family, current friends and friends from the past, as well as follow pages related to my teaching profession and personal interests.  I recently used my Facebook network to find a pair of loaner shoes for a friend's husband to use for a job interview.  Within 3 minutes of posting the request, I was on my way to pick up the shoes (he got the job, by the way). 

In the past couple of years, I have noticed that I continually get requests from my students and their parents, because they also use Facebook to connect with others.  While I never post anything really racy or inappropriate on Facebook, I prefer to decide specifically which parts of my life I share with students and their families.  This past year, taking a cue from the administrator at my school site, I opened a separate Facebook page to share with my students and their families.  This has been a huge success.  Students come to school very excited after I have "friended" them.  They love seeing pictures of what I do in my off time.  Surprisingly, it has also become a useful communication tool.  I have many students who do not have a phone (cell or landline) or whose service is frequently shut off.  They will, however, take their phone or other device to a free Wi-Fi spot and message me through Facebook if they are sick or absent or have an issue they need help with.  Reading their posts also gives me insight into what they find interesting and important, as well as leading to some class discussion on what is and is not appropriate to post on a public forum.

I have learned many things through following links that friends have posted on Facebook.  Many of my friends are teachers and have similar interests and have posted pertinent information or links to events or sites that have added to my personal growth.  Sometimes, however, I get extremely sidetracked by "fun" posts.  I might go there specifically to get an Autism Awareness link that I remember a co-worker had posted and end up spending 30 minutes browsing her photos from a cruise.  That, of course, leads to researching cruises, because, after all, I AM on the Internet.  I have frequently sat down at the computer for two or more hours without accomplishing my original goal.  I have no doubt that my students would have similar issues with using an online community for learning purposes. 

I have found that sharing my own experiences with students helps them to consider options that they may not have thought of.  When I have something specific to learn/do/accomplish on the Internet, it helps me to set a timer.  When the time is up, I can spend some time on fun activities, but while the timer is running, I must focus only on my goal.  I have modeled this technique in class and some students have found success using the timer for various non-preferred activities as well.  I think that is the key for supporting my students - letting them know that they are not alone. Sometimes they feel frustration because their disabilities get in the way.  It helps them to know that other people have the same frustrations and to show them options for getting around obstacles. 

My experience has been that social media is excellent for forming both personal and professional communities, as well as for learning, as long as one has a plan to stay on track.