Facebook is an online social network that
today is used for businesses, schools, social media and for personal use in our
society. In the following comments I am
writing about, I will provide observations of the advantages and disadvantages
I see on school Facebook pages used at school’s libraries or school campuses. I had the opportunity to view “Dora School
Library” and “Evangelina Garza Elementary”. The following is what I noticed in
their Facebook pages:
"Dora School Library"
Dora school library is a library that
services K to 12th grade students.
In looking at their Facebook page I noticed they value the town history
and the community. Most of the pictures
posted show old town pictures and old school album pictures of students that
have graduated from that school throughout the years. I saw a few student and public postings.
"Evangelina Garza Elementary"
I have noticed some updates made to the
homepage since last year. The Facebook
webpage is used as a channel to communicate to parents, students, teachers and
the community. The principal uses
Facebook to ask for parent’s ideas and suggestions to celebrate student
accomplishments. It is a great way to
involve parents in their student’s education.
The website is used to inform the public of events and activities being
held at the library and school. Pictures
are posted on Facebook of workshops that administrators and teachers attend throughout
the year. Parents are encouraged to send
the principal pictures they take to be posted at the school’s Facebook page. Some pictures posted have to do with
graduation, career day, water day, millionaire field trips, library events and
anything involved with the school and students.
In viewing both schools Facebook pages I
saw more advantages than disadvantages.
Advantages I noticed is that the schools Facebook page is being used as
a newsletter to inform and involve the participation of administrators,
teachers, parents, students and the public of the wonderful things happening at
the campus. It also serves as a way to
advocate for the students and reach the public with events happening at
school. At the library, Facebook is used
to promote reading and involve the participation of parents and their children
to read. I think Dora School Library
posting of old town pictures and school albums is a good way to promote the
towns and school’s history throughout the years.
Disadvantages I noticed is that some
schools don’t take advantage of the potential of Facebook among society and our
community. I noticed some schools don’t
keep up to date with all the wonderful events happening at their school and
library. Most school Facebook pages I
noticed display positive feedback of viewers but it can always also go the
opposite way and promote the school negatively.
Both Facebook schools I viewed I noticed postings and pictures are run
by the librarian or principal from the school instead of parents.
Twitter
I will also briefly summarize what I found
in my exploration of following some educational technology leaders on twitter. Twitter is an online social network service that allows users to send and read short messages.
I had the opportunity to follow Linda W.
Braun and Gwyneth Jones-The Daring Librarian and Kathy Schrock through their
tweets.
Linda W. Braun is a teen advocate. Most of her tweet involves information about
YALSA articles, articles about summer jobs available for the youth. I enjoy following her tweets because it keeps
me up to date about teen library services and news.
Linda W.
Braun@lbraun2000
Gwyneth Jones-The daring librarian. I love following her tweets because she is
always tweeting innovative ideas of activities I can implement at my school
library and be able to share them with teachers.
Gwyneth Jones@GwynethJones
Kathy Schrock is an educational
technologist she keeps up with technology and has her own site. She recently updated and copyright her school
project poster. I like to follow her
tweets to follow the changes in technology and how they can be implemented in
the classroom.
Kathy Schrock@Kathyschrock
Hi Sandra,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your Facebook and Twitter blog. The acceptable use for school projects poster Kathy Schrock authored is about to find a home in my "library resources welcome back list" for teachers when they return to campus in August.
Nice work!
- Mrs. Johtell B. Johnson
Sandra,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post. I also enjoy following Kathy Schrock. Her resources on digital learning are wonderful.
Sandra,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post. I agree with your disadvantages for using Facebook. Technology can have negative consequences.
Cynthia C.
Sandra,
ReplyDeleteFirst off, hello again! I think I've lost count on how many times we've had class together.
I had a question more than a comment for you today; do you think it's better for a parent volunteer or other member of the community to run the social media sites for the school libraries or should it remain in the hands of the school officials? The reason I ask is because you mentioned it earlier in your post and it got me thinking if it would make a difference in how it was maintained and what was posted.
I honestly think it should remain in the hands of school officials only because I wouldn't want it to go off track when it comes to informing and receiving suggestions of what is happening at the school/library.
ReplyDeleteAny way you feel reaches out to the community to help them connect with your program~ do it! People seem to be happier when schools reach out to them in a way that supports the school-parent connection. Sometimes parents don't know how to connect. This seems to be a pretty painless way to do that!
ReplyDeleteSandra,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the fact that many schools do not see the benefits of having a Facebook and all of the advantages that can come from it. I think that it is a great to have a page for at least your school, if not your library as well. I enjoyed reading your advantages and disadvantages, they would be great to show a principal when lobbying for having a library Facebook!
Great post,
Naomi Emory