Facebook for education is an integral part of the students’ lives in the new normal due to the pandemic that we experience today. How is Facebook being used by schools? What are its pros and cons? This article explores the subject based on how users behave on this popular social media site.
The global pandemic we faced recently caused the education system at stake because of the protocols implemented by the authority, including the prohibition of face-to-face classes.
Because of the restriction not to go outside, or put at stay-at-home, there is no possibility that students and teachers can communicate personally. And Facebook serves as the most popular social media platform; maybe it can help.
About Facebook for Educational Purposes
Out of all the social media platforms, Facebook caters to the most number of active users. People devote a lot of time browsing through their Facebook feeds. For many of them, Facebook has become a way of life.
One of the reasons Facebook has maintained its staggering growth is its ability to meet users’ needs. Over the years, Facebook has surpassed all expectations and has evolved to meet its growing user base (Mohsin, 2021).
Facebook has 1.84 billion regular users who access this social networking site daily. And it makes Facebook the most popular social media platform.
According to Pew Research Center, 71% of Facebook users are high school or less, and 75% are some college students. The people who are the most engaged in Facebook are students.
Many people are engaging in Facebook for different reasons, but are you aware that you can use Facebook for your Education?
Students nowadays are influenced by technology—social media. So it’s better to use social media for Educational Purposes.
Facebook as a Means of Communication
Facebook uses Messenger as a means of communication in new normal education in pandemic age.
What are the features of messenger that captures the interest of students, teachers, and organizations worldwide?
I enumerate some of them here based on my understanding and observations.
Messenger Features Used in Educational Activities
Facebook Messenger does play a vital role in this method of learning in new normal. It became the medium of communication between students and teachers, and even with their parents.
This is much more significant as Facebook supports the Department of Education’s (DepEd) blended and distance learning modalities or modular learning that include printed or interactive modules, online learning tools, and radio and television-based guidance to prevent face-to-face experiences.
Asking and Gathering Information, aside from our friend Google, Wikipedia, and other sites, we can ask and get info through FB. Brainstorming with your classmates—make a group page and tackle the topic you’ll talk about. Post events or gatherings. For them, it is easy to inform that there will be an event or conference.
For schools, it’s best to use Facebook for education because it’s convenient to do than giving flyers. The school administrators share last-minute updates, like cancellation or suspension of classes and announcements. The faculty use Facebook to share information and knowledgeable ideas with their Facebook Live Webinars via other apps and sites to virtually accommodate the students. They do flag ceremonies, counseling, webinars, and many more. Facebook helps students and teachers in this time with regards to education, not just for entertainment purposes.
Group Chats
In Facebook Messenger, Group Chats (GC) is popular in communicating with others because you and other people can chat and talk together. It is also helpful to the students because they can easily share with other people. It is more convenient to use than doing text brigade or text blast. Some teachers are sending the homework images, plus informing students through announcing updates in their respective GC’s.
Facebook Pages and Group Page
There is also a Facebook Pages and Group Page feature, where you can upload and download soft copies, pdf, and other files—of advanced lessons, forms to fill up, and other matters.
On Facebook, you can also develop your language, do a group collaboration and improve your skills in literacy. So don’t underestimate Facebook, because on another side it’ll help you in Education Matters.
Pros of using Facebook
Facebook is very convenient to use for students, teachers, and parents since most people are familiar with Facebook and had engaged in it. And it does not cost a high amount. The user just needs a data subscription to make it work.
Not like in text messages, you need a load to send a message to someone. It also has many features to use, not just what they purposely made for entertaining people but also to educate them.
Cons of using Facebook
Not all are privileged and capable of having a cellular phone to use. There are also places wherein signals are poor.
Also, sometimes Facebook easily distracts students because of its entertainment and other features, not just in communicating with their teachers. While Facebook for educational purposes has its benefits, the other features are distracting the acquisition of knowledge itself.
It is indeed helpful to know Facebook’s limitation of usage and possible harm it can give when not using it mindfully.
Social Media’s Mental Effects
In general, we should be aware that social media can hurt our mental health.
Bailey Parnell, a social media expert and one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women, explains in a viral video how social media can cause and enhance anxiety, depression, and stress among students. She identified four of the most common stressors or causes of these mental health conditions that result from too much social media exposure.
Given this information, it would be best to strike a balance in your way of life. Give time off to disconnect yourself from social media channels and live a life of freedom once in a while. Doing so will surely redound to your benefit.
Engage more in safe social media by preventing the harmful effects and developing your strategies to cope with negativity. You are your best friend.
Sources
- Iqbal, M. (2021). Facebook Revenue and Usage Statistics (2021).
- Mohsin, M. (2021). 10 Facebook statistics every marketer should know in 2021.
- Quinones, M. T. (2020). DepEd clarifies blended, distance learning modalities for SY 2020-2021
© Simplyeducateme Publishing and Consultancy Services 13 May 2021
Thank you for sharing