Okay, so I'm not *quite* a Facebook fanatic. But a NY Times article got me thinking about my latest addiction.
Because I graduated college just before Facebook started (or at least became even moderately popular), I was a late arrival to the phenomenon that is Facebook. In fact, just this week I passed my first anniversary.
No, I don't keep track of EVERY anniversary--just ask N.A.--but I remember because I only got on Facebook because Undergrad2 informed me that Undergrad4's birthday was in three days. Since I'm the (self)designated Birthday Card Buying person for my research group, I was horrified that I almost missed a birthday. Undergrad2 told me that Facebook reminded him of the upcoming Undergrad4 birthday.
How wonderful! How magical! I didn't understand Facebook, but it had a birthday reminder? I was there!
Mock Facebook if you must, but I've actually enjoyed catching back up with (semi)forgotten high school and college buddies. At LargeU we even use it to publicize seminars and symposia.
But do I accept Facebook requests of current students? No. Will I use Facebook as a teaching tool at my job in the fall? Never say never, but I certainly won't use my "personal" Facebook profile.
What about you? Do you think networking tools like Facebook has a place in the classroom? Where do you draw the line between the classroom and your personal life?
