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"Can Facebook Replace Face-to-Face?" Larry S. Anderson and Ellen Hildenbrand

This article asked the question, "can facebook replace face-to-face," or can we teach without actually seeing out students? Anderson believes we can. He notes the feelings of connectivity one has with social networking sites like facebook, as convenient as it is practical. While Anderson makes note that interfaces like facebook fall short in areas that face-to-face instruction thrives in, but believes that despite this the forum is superior. For example, the old addage of "don't judge a book by it's cover" comes to mind in Anderson's reasoning that assumptions made on one's appearance could be greaty reduced in such a format. Instead we are left with the information they provide, rom social interaction, "personal, professional, and political tendencies," among others. Ultimately though, Anderson is not saying we should ONLY use such a system as facebook, only noting it's use as a precurser to face-to-face instruction. Anderson notes further the convenience of exchanging media in this medium, as well as not being bogged down by an individual who doesn't know when to shut up.

Hildenbrand takes a decidedly different view of the topic. Most notably she feels the need as a teacher to be able to read her student's facial and body language, as well as the need for development in public speaking. Like Anderson though, Hildenbrand is not saying that teachers and students shouldn't use such technologies to enhance learning, just that it can't completely replace face-to-face interaction, nor should it. Both points are valid, and basicly say the same thing, with perhaps Anderson being more optimistic about the technology. Ultimately though, both say that facebook like social networking sites are useful tools, but that face-to-face is necessary for certain areas.

I personally would love to use facebook or a similar site to supplement my teaching in the future. Mind you, I would not use my personal facebook page to launch such endevours from, nor would I force students to make use of it. However, for those students who may too shy in a classroom setting to speak out, changing the format to an online one would allow for these people to get their ideas and questions out, all the while allowing the quick and easy exchange of media to suppliment learning.