StudentAffairs Virtual Case Study Presentation

1. StudentAffairs.comVirtual Case Study Presentation Ball State University Kerry Wallaert Ryan Miller Joshua Hill Advisor: Catherine Bickel, Ed.D.

2. Friend or Foe: Facebook at Diversity College Presented by the Facebook Ad Hoc Committee

3. What is Facebook? • “The Facebook is an online directory that connects people through social networks at schools” (About Facebook, 2005)

4. Facebook’s Founding • Facebook was launched February 4th, 2004 as a free student-run online directory • It was originally created for students at Harvard, but rapidly spread across the nation • It has even opened sites for high schools

5. Profile Features • Personal Information • Including address, phone number, IM name, classes, favorite music/movies, relationship information • Social Calendar • Including schedules, social events, and availability • Groups • User-created groups based on common interests • Pictures • Pictures of user and their friends • The “Wall” • Public area to post messages • List of Friends • List of other connected users sorted by institution

6. Why do students build a profile? • Virtual communities such as…social networks allowed users to maintain individual identity while belonging to a community (Rheingold, 2000) • Through their profiles, students are able to establish identities in Facebook • Interpersonal skills move towards the virtual, versus “real” or face-to-face • The resulting relationships can be based on fact or fiction

7. Why do students build a profile? • Diversions • Procrastination • Create profiles in order to avoid homework • Entertainment • Join interesting groups and browse through random photos • Practical Purposes • Find fellow class members or look up contact information

8. Benefits of Facebook • Identity Development • Virtual communities offer users the opportunity to interact in a variety of ways, including play (Rheingold, 2000) • Citing Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, Rheingold argued that the act of playing online enabled community members to develop a stronger sense of identity (Rheingold, 2000)

9. Benefits of Facebook • Relationships • “Just as we experience different kinds of relationships in our real lives, we are likely to develop different kinds of relationships online as well” (Wood & Smith, 2001) • Virtual communities provide members the opportunity to form new relationships

10. Benefits of Facebook • Practical Purposes • Online search directory • Including phone numbers, addresses, class schedules, and instant messenger names • Event advertising • Including social, educational and cultural activities • Social Network • Users are able to identify other users with similar interests or goals • Can create face-to-face opportunities including study sessions or social activities

11. Groups - Campus Connections • Groups can be social, themed, or event-driven. • Some examples include:

12. Perils of Facebook • Questionable posting • Including postings of obvious policy violations, inappropriate behaviors, and illegal activities • Illicit photos • Inappropriate groups (e.g. “Blunt Smokers of DU” or “United Beer Pong Front” or “Forget GLBT, I’m STR8”)

13. Perils of Facebook • Internet Addiction • Hardy Cox (2002) found that strong affinity to technology led to internet addiction. • Most Facebook users spend 15 minutes a day on Facebook

14. Perils of Facebook • Anti-social behavior • Frequently, members of virtual communities lost inhibitions due to anonymity (Rheingold, 2000)

15. Security Issues • Stalking • Recent information attributed cyber-stalking to the murder of Taylor Behl (Zant, 2006) • Identity Theft • Personal profile information has created a larger risk of identity theft

16. Facebook at DC • Facebook can be a great tool or be problematic • Be aware of what you’re posting online • Remember, online postings reflect you in the “real” world • DC Administrators and Staff have access to your profiles • Future employers could see your postings

17. Welcome, Have a GREAT Semester! • Questions? • Comments?

18. Facebook Experience Learning Module • The Facebook Experience Learning Module is a comprehensive learning tool developed to educate incoming students regarding Facebook. • The Module consists of 18 multiple choice questions. • Students need to pass the module with an 80%

19. 1. Facebook exists for: Colleges High schools Middle schools a) and b) 2. What can the event planner be used for? Setting up study groups Setting up birthday parties Finding out when floor programs are All of the above 3. Which group is NOT an inappropriate Facebook group to join? “Blunt smokers of DC” “I get so drunk I pass out” “If I’m drunk, you’ll get a call tonight” “DC Athletic Supporters” 4. Faculty, staff, and administration have access to Facebook postings. Yes No 5. What could NOT be a group? DC athletes DC bong smokers DC students who like to shower All of these can be groups 6. What is NOT included in the online search directory? Cell Phone numbers Addresses Instant Messenger names All of these can be included 7. On average, how many minutes a day do users spend on Facebook? 25 15 35 45 8. Faculty, staff, and administration can use your postings of pictures, etc. to determine violations of the code of conduct. Yes No Depends Facebook Experience Learning Module

20. 9. Which is NOT a way that internet addiction may inhibit your collegiate experience? It has no affect on my collegiate experience. May distract me from making personal connections with students and faculty. May cause me to stay in my room. May distract me from coursework. 10. What can NOT be created using a Facebook profile? Relationships A Disciplinary Case A plan for the weekend Test answers 11. Using someone else's profile to post information is OK. True False 12. Facebook profiles costs ___ per year: Free $100 $25 $10 13. Why might someone find out where they fit in on the social network? Helps to identify others with similar interests Helps to find out who is in their classes Helps to find someone to go to an event with All are reasons to find where one fits in 14. What are examples of the perils of Facebook? Posting pictures of friends Internet Addiction Antisocial behavior None of the above B and C 15. What is broadcast in a Facebook profile? One's academic career One's identity One's ability to make money One's ability to get arrested 16. Facebook was created for businesses to conduct meetings? Yes No 17. Facebook friendships are based on: Fact Fiction Both Neither 18. What are possible consequences of posting your address or cell phone number on Facebook? Stalking There aren’t any consequences. Identity Theft A and C Facebook Experience Learning Module

21. D D D A D D D E B B C D Answer Key • B • C • A • D • B • A

22. References About Facebook. (2005). Retrieved February 7, 2006, from the Facebook Web Site: http://www.facebook.com/about.php Hardy Cox, D. G. (2002). Advancing student learning in an era of technology: From citizenship laboratories to virtual reality. The Journal of College and University Student Housing, 30(2), 30-35. Rheingold, H. (2000). The virtual community: Homesteading on the electronic frontier (Rev. ed.). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Wood, A. F., & Smith, M. J. (2001). Online communication: Linking technology, identity, and culture. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Zant, C. V., (2006). Beware of cyber stalkers. Retrieved February 7, 2006 from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11101454/