Social networking is the future. Get used to it. Our Media Arts people are exceedingly keen to use Web 2.0 technologies (okay let's not pursue that can of worms, huh?) to the extent that many of them prefer to use public sites to support their students' learning rather than Blackboard. We allow the lot and have even taken the step - like many others - of embracing SecondLife. Any SecondLifers out there, come take a look at Bedfordia. I'm with Nicole.
 

--
Regards
Mark

Mark Gamble
Head of e-Learning
Learning Technology
University of Bedfordshire
Tel (+44)1582 489260 Fax (+44)1582 489259  
Mob 07720 068605  Int ext 2260 / 6360 (mobex)





>>> "Cargill-Kipar, Nicole" <[log in to unmask]> 09/05/07 1:31 PM >>> 
Hi Sophie,

I would advise against this and would agree with Jake from Liverpool.

Also, I'd be very, very careful in seeing online social networking sites
as "the evil". The generation of students that is growing up and will
come to us, will be so used to a completely different way of
interaction, because of the way they use the web, that if Universities
don't truly understand the shift and embrace it instead of fighting
against it (if you can't beat them -  join them) then we'll find us
alienating the new generation.

Besides, why not look at tools such as Facebook and find out what good
they can do (some fantastic professional networks can be found on there,
for example) and incorporate them into learning and teaching when and if
desirable.

Who is to say that the student on Facebook is not actually doing
University related group work, instead of doing this on the VLE? Who
knows if they are not learning and working, but in a non- sanctioned
environment, but one that they chose themselves? Do we know the torrent
of communication/collaboration beneath?

Best wishes

Nicole

-----------------

Nicole Cargill- Kipar
Flexible Learning Co- ordinator
http://www.hw.ac.uk/edu/flexible- learning/
<http://www.hw.ac.uk/edu/flexible- learning/> 
<http://del.icio.us/nkipar> http://del.icio.us/nkipar
<http://del.icio.us/nkiparEducational> 
Educational Development Unit
Heriot- Watt University
Edinburgh EH14 4AS
Tel 0131 451 8129
Email [log in to unmask] 


________________________________

From: Blackboard/Courseinfo userslist
[mailto:BLACKBOARD- [log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sophie Paluch
Sent: 05 September 2007 10:59
To: BLACKBOARD- [log in to unmask]
Subject: facebook



Hi everyone,

 

Here's a non bb related question to brighten up your Wednesday morning!


 

I imagine most of you allow students to access Facebook within your
institutions, at present we don't (although this is something I am
fighting for) and I was wondering how you police Facebook access.

 

For example, how do you restrict access so students aren't going on the
PC's just to access Facebook when other students may be needing them for
assignments etc...

 

We are a college of 5000+ students and are just wondering what the
implications of having Facebook access for students has been for you
guys,  good and bad!

 

Any help, info, experiences would be much appreciated! 

 

Sophie

 

Sophie Paluch

e- learning evangelist

Birmingham College of Food, Tourism and Creative Studies

0121 604 1000 (ex 273)