For my WebQuest assignment I designed an activity around having students use Facebook without actually going to Facebook. Thanks to Derrick Waddell who created the original template, the WebQuest asks students to create a standard Facebook profile. However, instead of making one for themselves they create one on behalf of a historical figure. Students must research their historical person in order to provide accurate biographical information for the profile fields. While some information is factual there are places such as the friends they would follow, the groups they would join, and their recent wall posts where students are encouraged to be creative while remaining in character. When complete students must provide references for the information they entered and justify the posts they added on behalf of their historical figure.
There are many ways that this WebQuest can be modified to fit broader or more specific activities. For example, check out the Facebook assignment entitled “Pirates need Social Networks too!” by Tara, which is designed to go along with the reading of the novel Treasure Island.
I really love this idea! I have shared it with a couple of our history teachers and if you don't mind, I would like to show them your webquest. I think students will buy into this and really enjoy learning about history through a social networking site!
ReplyDeleteI agree! Very cool idea to use with older kids who use facebook. I love how it incorporates the history component. If this lesson doesn't capture their attention, then I don't know what will!!! :)
ReplyDeleteTammy,
ReplyDeleteGo ahead and share the WebQuest; that's what I created it for…well, that and for a grade in our class. *wink*
Don't forget to share Chad's find (http://www.myfakewall.com/) as another resource for safely using Facebook with students.