Hi everybody and welcome to the blog,
This blog is to be used as a tie-in with the IS40480 Introduction to Facebook classes. Each entry will have notes from the class, step by step guides with screencaps, videos and a couple of extra hints and tips to help you on your way.
This post, linked to our first session will introduce you to Facebook, what it is, what you can do with it and how.
Firstly, let me introduce myself…
My name is Edel King, I am assistant librarian here at IS40480 Library.
My contact phone number is 0879843464
My email address is edel.king@ucdconnect.ie
Feel free to contact me at any time with any query you might have related to the lessons.
I have no office hours, I am available to help you whenever you need it for whatever you need, whether big or small. It might seem like a cliche but for me, there is no such thing as a stupid question.
I’m sure you want to know a bit about the format and structure of the class.
The classes will take place every Tuesday from 10 to 12, in an informal environment. The notes for each week will be handed out in paper form and we will go through them together using a slide presentation on Keynote.
I will guide you through what you need to do. It will be a hands-on course, with you trying things out for yourself calling out to me, should you need assistance. Some classes will also have a seminar style part to them where you will be given different role play scenarios to go through to get practice at the various things taught in class.
There will be 8 sessions in total:
Week 1 – Introduction to Facebook
Week 2 – Setting up a Facebook account.
Week 3 – Getting to know your Interface
Week 4 – Profile and Privacy settings
Week 5 – Profile and Privacy settings continued
Week 6 – Friending and Messenger
Week 7 – Posting, Liking and Commenting
Week 8 – Assessment and Feedback
However, this is very flexible and should something occur to you that you wish to be taught, please feel free to mention it in class and time will be put aside for that to take precedence in the curriculum.
The class can make use of a tailor-made Facebook page which will have links to that week’s blog post, videos and other bits and pieces that I think might be of help to you.
The Facebook page can be accessed at: http://www.facebook.com/is40480computers
Assessment will take place during the final session. Each student will be given a scenario and they will have to talk the class through how they would go about fulfilling their role.
Don’t worry about it – it’s a long way off yet and it will be quite informal.
These scenarios will then be informally graded and students will receive a certificate upon completion of the course.
Let’s get started!
Some background and facts about Facebook:
Facebook was created by Mark Zuckerburg while he was studying Psychology in Harvard University in 2004.
It wasn’t the first time he created a computer programme while attending the University.
It is a social networking site that was initially only available in academic institutions but now has over 1 billion users worldwide.
Fun Fact – the average person spends about 20 minutes on Facebook per visit.
What do you think Facebook can be used for?
Facebook can be used to
Connect with friends
Read what your friends are posting (or putting on to their page) and like it or comment on it
Post own status updates
Chat to friends using Facebook Messenger
To start with, have a look at the Facebook homepage – http://www.facebook.com and familiarise yourself with how it looks. See if you can figure out how to sign up for an account.
Don’t worry if you can’t – this is just to start you off – you will be guided through the process in full at the next session.
Some Lingo:
While using Facebook you will come across some words and phrases that will be unfamiliar to you in the Facebook context that they are meant – but don’t worry,
they will soon become second nature – words like:
Timeline – your own page where your stuff will appear
Newsfeed – a continuously updating screen containing material that your friends put on their page
Post – to put something on your page
Like – a button you can press under what someone else has Posted to tell them that you have enjoyed reading it
Comment – to write a reply under what someone else has Posted in answer to it
Interface – the page that is in front of you and how it looks, how it is laid out etc.
Messenger – a place to send Private Messages to an individual Friend. These Messages can only be seen by you and them. This is different to Posting on your own or another person’s page/Timeline which can be seen by all of your/their Friends
Status – Posting what you are doing, how you are feeling or anything else that you might want to say on your page/Timeline
Finally, if you have any concerns or questions before next week’s class, do let me know.
Below is a good documentary about the founder of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg – no obligation to watch – just might be of interest to some of you!!
For next week
Have a think about what you would like to learn.
Next week
We will be setting up your account.
See you next time!
Edel.
is40480computerclasses 