Facebook was one of my first social websites and one in which I have participated for many years. I originally opened a Facebook account to keep track of my daughter's posts when she first began an account at 14, but quickly I realized that the site had benefits for me as well. Through Facebook (FB), I enjoy staying connected with family and friends. Even though my high school sons tell me that FB is not relevant anymore, I still find it to be a great medium to connect with friends from my past and present as well as family members.
The FB site also exposes me regularly to many interesting and relevant readings. I enjoy when someone posts something provocative or on a topic that I find interesting but know little about. For example, a recent posted article discussed how the elderly can interact regularly with preschoolers through an innovative program being used in a European country. Another was about how Sweden has created a "town" to mimic real life for those with Alzheimers so that they can seemingly live "normal" lives while still being cared for by people in the town who are care givers disguised
as town members. This type of reading stimulates my interest, and even though it may not be an area in which I research and read regularly, I find that it extends my thinking. As well, recent political posts have been intriguing to read written by experts in the psychological and political science realm related to recent political events, and I have read numerous articles about issues related to teens, children, and child rearing. Needless to say, I have found Facebook to provide a variety of uses that have allowed me to learn and extend my thinking as well as stay connected to those for whom I care.
I have found the Internet to be a tremendous benefit to my overall learning. When I am seeking knowledge, I can easily find trustworthy resources to gain information. When I am researching and in need of articles, I use Google Scholar to help me identify sources of information. If faced with medical questions or other queries, the Internet is an unlimited source of information. It is a place to store and exchange information has been a tremendous resource in my work. As found in this class, the Internet is also an incredible source of tools and helps to support online and blended instruction.
Even though the Internet has been a positive influence on my learning, I have found it at times to be distracting. Amazingly, time seems to escape when I get on FB. Since I am a night owl, this can be detrimental to my sleep and sometimes I find myself going "brainless" in the late hours of the evening by being drawn into looking at videos or reading posts. I also must be vigilant when working on the computer not to be tempted to check online websites or even email, for that matter. These easy distractions can keep me from being productive.
These same type of distractions also seem to resonate with many students. I had one who flat out told me at the start of class that he was addicted to a game and that I should know. I had to remind him that he was responsible for his behavior during class and that I would expect him not to touch his technology unless we were using it for an in-class purpose throughout the semester. There was only one time that I had to remind him of our contract. I have had other students who have confessed that while they were studying they were endlessly drawn off task by the lure of the Internet. For these students, I can see how app blockers to social websites could be a benefit. I recognize that these distractions are real for students and that many of them struggle with focus and self-control when it comes to the Internet, especially when they try to complete assignments and do online learning that requires cognitive rigor. With my own son, he has struggled with this same issue. He has learned to give himself Internet breaks and to time his breaks so that he does not get off track. I think it is important to openly state to students that the Internet may be a distraction to their productivity and provide them with some suggested app blockers and also to give them suggestions for how to handle their online learning. Students need to learn self-monitoring techniques that can benefit them while studying since it also affects other areas of their lives and potentially their work-life.
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