Facebook Classroom

the article entitled "The Facebook Classroom: 25 Facebook Apps That Are Perfect for Online Education by Susan Jacobs" caught my eyes.

i am one of Facebook user (now inactive) and im quite familiar with the Facebook abundant applications (one reason why i left it). but now when it comes to learning via Facebook Classroom, i find this idea is pretty awesome and something we should try on in our classroom. it doesn't only offer net-working activity but with the new applications, it is now suitable for the students to get in touch with their friends and teachers, having interactive learning experience by sending messages and learning. all are now can be done online if students have the facebook account, which is free.

so back to the latest applications under Facebook Classroom, i have a keen interest to discover more about those applications. since every applications need you to log in, im glad i still remember my password.

below are some of the newest applications offered under Facebook Classroom:
Books iRead:
Flashcards
Notely
SwapRoll


so i went to explore each one of them and here is my review:

Books iRead
the web suggested "Share the books you're reading, and see what others think of books with this application"

but in my opinion:
it is just another virtual book sharing application whereby one reads a book and then write some reviews on it, post it on the facebook. the benefit is not more than persuading you to read the book---which means you have to buy one if you want to read---
facebook doesn't provide the link where one can upload the copies of the book and made it available to be viewed page by page. of course they will go against the copyright if they did!
well, so far i never found a web that offer educational textbook or books that are free to read online..maybe one day in the future.

however it is a nice tool ( i can't say it is GReat!) since now everyone can search for their favourite book and ADD them in their chart or whatever stuff they call them and bragging about how many books they have read..this remind me of NILAM project back when i was in Secondary and primary school. hehe..
well, how much would you expect since it says "Sharing.."

Flashcards:
the web suggested: "With this application, you can create flash cards to help you study on Facebook"

in my opinion:
my first question once i entered the page: How do i use this?
i was stuck once i saw the box on the left..there is space where i can write something (discover this as i look around)..so is it just writing? flashcards need more than just letters..well..the third parties application (HTML editor) is not available..so basically your flashcard is just words written on the card..and to be flashed. huhu..

i looked at some of others' work and they confirmed my assumption. so basically the flashcards application is used to teach languages..indeed it is very useful but limited.

Notely
the web suggested: "Organize your school life with Notely, an app that helps you wrangle your calendar, notes, assignments, and more"

in my opinion:
as the web suggested: the application function as personal organizer where you can personalize your notes, arrange your items in the list-of-what-to-do, add date for events or tests, and follow up activities. so instead of having a personal organizer in the form of book (the paper and pen), now you are going to have an online personal organizer. isn't that marvelous?

pssst..i prefer my OneNote program where i can do lots of stuff there, not just the usual organizer!

SwapRoll:
the web suggested "Save money on textbooks by trading them with the Swap Roll application."

in my opinion:
ok..here is another virtual book swapping application where you can "pretend" to swap your text book with friends. or perhaps you are so rich you can buy the book from their owner or Amazon.com using your Visa credit card (which is quite unpractical for the students and if the person is somewhere far from our country).

i dont see the benefits of having this application...enlightened me pls...

in a nutshell: pretty said than done.