So this weeks first media encounter was definitely Facebook. I'm sure I'm not the only one who perused this site this week. Networking sites like Facebook and MySpace are becoming a huge part of teen and adult life. I am constantly on the lookout for friends who have recently joined or new picture posts.Facebook, as everyone already knows, is a social networking site. The main page tells simply exactly what to expect: "Facebook is a social utility that connects you with the people around you." It goes on to list its uses:
It's understandable purpose and uses prevents confusion for potential users. Also the layout seems simple enough for those who have basic website navigating skills.
So how would one go about analyzing Facebook? Well for starters the simple and informative sign up page lets users know that it is user friendly and productive. After signing up, the user enters into the ultimate network. They can join groups, add friends, share pictures and thoughts. The status update lets others know at a glace what the user is doing.
I have been a Facebook user for a couple years and it has been interesting to watch it evolve and shape itself around the users. The creators of Facebook have listen to the outcrys or praises of its users. When I first joined Facebook, there were some elements that weren't exactly user friendly so users protested by creating groups. There were groups about all the things everyone hated and all the users who agreed joined the groups. The creators took note and things changed quickly. I have used Facebook to keep in touch with long distant friends and relatives and to stay updated on their lives.
I think Facebook can be used in the classroom to teach students how to network and to show them the power of the Internet. I think an important lesson could be about what is “safe” and appropriate to put on the Internet. As the networking sites have boomed employers are taking advantage. Most sites have places to describe skills and interests or display samples. These sites are becoming individual impressions to the world. If an employer sees questionable pictures or comments of a potential employee on their personal page they might reconsider hiring this person. In the classroom we could teach how to stay professional and still have fun on networking sites. We need to engage in discussions and examples of who has access to their personal pages and how to prevent dangerous or embarrassing situations.
So how would one go about analyzing Facebook? Well for starters the simple and informative sign up page lets users know that it is user friendly and productive. After signing up, the user enters into the ultimate network. They can join groups, add friends, share pictures and thoughts. The status update lets others know at a glace what the user is doing.
I have been a Facebook user for a couple years and it has been interesting to watch it evolve and shape itself around the users. The creators of Facebook have listen to the outcrys or praises of its users. When I first joined Facebook, there were some elements that weren't exactly user friendly so users protested by creating groups. There were groups about all the things everyone hated and all the users who agreed joined the groups. The creators took note and things changed quickly. I have used Facebook to keep in touch with long distant friends and relatives and to stay updated on their lives.
I think Facebook can be used in the classroom to teach students how to network and to show them the power of the Internet. I think an important lesson could be about what is “safe” and appropriate to put on the Internet. As the networking sites have boomed employers are taking advantage. Most sites have places to describe skills and interests or display samples. These sites are becoming individual impressions to the world. If an employer sees questionable pictures or comments of a potential employee on their personal page they might reconsider hiring this person. In the classroom we could teach how to stay professional and still have fun on networking sites. We need to engage in discussions and examples of who has access to their personal pages and how to prevent dangerous or embarrassing situations.
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