Facebook

This page is part of a larger technology guide for distance and digital learning tools, which was created to fulfill the requirements of the portfolio project for OTL542.

Facebook is a popular social media platform initially developed by a group of Harvard University students in the early 2000s. As of August 2020, the site has approximately 2.7 billion active users, making it the largest social media network in the world.

Facebook in e-Learning
Facebook encourages users to maintain a profile with various personal details, network with other users, send messages, and share posts, photos, and videos. Within these basic functions, Facebook is often used to make informal connections among students and instructors, and it represents an channel for sharing educational content such as articles, documentaries, and podcasts. Research into the uses of Facebook as an educational tool finds limited evidence for its effectiveness as a formal instrument, but notes that it serves an important peripheral role in creating more active social learning communities.

Additional Resources

 * Facebook.com. Create a profile on the social media site.
 * Social Media in Higher Education. Tips for educators on incorporating Facebook and other social media tools in the digital and hybrid classroom.