Facebook: benefit or distraction?

Social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Myspace have become a part of our culture. It seems as if everyone has a page or knows someone who has one. With search engines like Google at our fingertips, retrieving information today is instantaneous; anything you could ever want to research is easily accessible. However, do social networking sites have a place in the learning environment?

Although many would argue that Facebook is a distraction, it can actually be a beneficial tool at a college. Facebook offers a variety of features and information that can be extremely valuable to students. Visiting an instructor during his or her office hours to ask questions about assignments is a thing of the past. Many students have been able to keep in touch with their teachers by simply messaging them or chatting with them online. Students can also use Facebook to build stronger relationships with fellow students, which in the long run can improve their college experience. Not only can Facebook help cultivate friendships, it also assists in retaining students and making them more likely to stay in college and graduate.

Many would argue that a socially involved student is a more successful student. Students are able to learn about events through the "Events" feature on Facebook. Many students are informed of events they may not have known about, which gives them the chance to meet and network with many influential people who could possibly benefit them in their future careers.

The "Newsfeed" feature of Facebook is probably the most important tool for students. If a class has been cancelled and a student posts the information on his or her "wall" for all to see, other students will get the message much faster than by phone or e-mail.Facebook also has an option for users to receive notification e-mails that can then be sent to their mobile phones, making communication and the sharing of information even easier.

Facebook is an integral part of our culture now and is a benefit to students everywhere.