Facebook



**Administrator Reading on Facebook:** "No Facebook For You" @http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2008/07/no-facebook-for.html

 **"What is Facebook?"** Facebook is a hugely popular social networking site that allows users to make connections, share interests and join groups. Facebook has become the tool of choice (just behind texting) for students to connect and share information with each other. Adults, business and others who are looking to share information with others have begun communicating with Facebook making it the largest social networking site with over 400 million users. The average user interacts with approximately 130 friends on their page.

**"Why Use Facebook"** Facebook is a way to "connect" with people that allows the user to: > **"Tell me---How are schools using Facebook"** Most schools have begun "playing around" with Facebook as a communication tool that networks parents, community members, students, businesses (and the world) with "what's happening" in your district.
 * Post pictures, videos,etc.
 * Microblog
 * Live Chat
 * Keep in contact with others and network
 * It doesn't work if you don't have "friends" (a link off a school web page, info in current communication tools, an article in the local paper, etc. help get the word out.
 * Schools can follow/like other organizations or groups (Schools Foundation, Local Business Groups, Colleges, etc.) who often in turn "like" the school
 * School secretaries are often the ones that put out the "communications" sending out "updates" about what is happening at the school
 * An update a day will keep people following you or your district
 * Events can be featured, photos can be shared, etc.

**"Getting Started...."** media type="youtube" key="tSHxSlUuZxo" height="385" width="480" align="right" 1. Set Up an account: 2. Make your first "Update" 3. Start "friending/liking" others and communicate your updates to others so they can start friending/liking you/your district. Here are a few to get you started:

5. Set-Up a personal account and keep it "business casual" in content to become more familiar with Facebook if you have never used it before 6. Become familiar with Privacy settings:

**"What Schools/Oranizations Are Using Facebook?"**
 * **Millard Public Schools:** Human Resources
 * ** Educational Service Units: **
 * ** Lincoln Public Schools **
 * ** Brady, Nebraska Public Schools **
 * **NSAA:** Nebraska Schools Activity Association
 * ** O'Neill Public Schools **
 * **Bellevue Public Schools**

**"Basic--Common Sense Guidelines"**
 * **School Pages:** Business casual to professional writing style
 * ** School Pages: ** Post items you would include in a school newsletter or school announcements
 * ** School Pages: ** Avoid personal contact--keep it professional
 * ** Keep personal profiles personal: ** know that others can see this page
 * ** Personal Profiles: ** do not "friend" students
 * ** Personal Profiles: ** know that others can view and see comments & pictures (friends of friends, etc.)
 * ** Personal Profiles: ** Facebook is a social setting....only post what you would want others (parents & students) to see in public
 * ** Check your school recommendations ** on teacher/administrator Facebook pages

"Canned" message that Lynn Herr mentioned in her Skype Session that teachers and administrators can use when students or parents request access to their social networking pages:

 * I’m so glad you want to connect with me. I’ve decided to keep my Facebook profile private with my close friends and family. But I would like to stay connected to you. So if you would like to join my fan page here: @http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jeff-Utecht/75623012224 we can stay in touch. Thanks! Jeff
 * Suggested Facebook page to join: [] (Note, log in to your facebook account, then paste this address into the address bar of your browser.)