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:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sophie Paluch Sent: 05 September 2007 10:59 To: [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)