It was a Thursday night, and Laurie sat before the computer screen, the effervescent glow dimly illuminating the features of her room. It was dark; silent, if not for the incessant click of her keyboard, ticking away the seconds.
Her social studies homework had yet to be completed, and the current friend she was chatting with didn’t understand it either - they probably shouldn’t have gone off on all those tangents.
Laurie ended the chat and moved on to the next. In a couple hundred friends, she would run out of people to ask.
The next friend she messaged didn’t get it either.
She sighed and glanced at the clock hanging on the wall of her room. 12:30: only eight more hours until the quiz. It hung over her shoulder, always at the back of her mind.
If someone didn’t show her how to answer the problem soon, chances were Laurie wouldn’t get her homework done. And if that happened, she probably wouldn’t pass the test. And if that happened, chances were she would have to re-take the class… .
For as long as social networking has existed, there have been those who oppose it and those who embrace it. The opposition suggests that the use of social networking distracts a user, and for many, casual participation spirals into full blown addiction. Those who stand for it feel that social networking is in itself a resource; that it is the future of communication and, more importantly, education.
Of course, there are those who fall between the two ends of the spectrum, whose stance on social networking is neither for nor against it.
Evidence from PBA’s student community indicates, if not “addiction”-level use, a positive bias in favor of social networking. Of a recent Karma Chronicle survey taken by students of PBA, about 88% responded that when they use social networks, they feel more happy.
The survey also pointed to selective use; happy adopters focus their activities on Facebook, Youtube, and Xbox Live.
The survey did indicate a significant percentage of the student body qualifies as “heavy users”: 43.5% of responders admitted to using Facebook multiple times per day, and 68.2% to using YouTube multiple times per day or all the time.
Of instant messaging utilities, 82.4% reported using Facebook Instant Messaging service, 70.6% AIM (AOL Instant Messaging), and 47.1% Skype.
A prominent figure in the school’s social networking community is junior Sam Sueoka. Founder of the “junior class Facebook page,” Sam actively manages the forum, regularly posting the daily assignments and events.
The page itself facilitates community. Each member works towards the betterment of the class as a whole. On the page, students ask and answer assignment questions, share resources, and provide video links for those who need it.
“It helps our class a lot to have a group on Facebook, especially for biology,” Sueoka said.
“I think every teacher should have a group for us,” he continued. “Mr. Velasco posts homework and videos to help us. Since the majority of us are already on Facebook, it is a good tool to have.”
Not all students agree. Though sophomore Zachary Agcaoili uses Facebook, his view on social networking is decidedly iconoclastic. “I’m being completely honest, social networking does nothing for education,” said Agcaoili.
Rather, he feels it more of a distraction. In his opinion, social networkers could use their time more productively. Said Agcaoili, “People who [used to prefer] other things are crazy to social networking 24/7. ‘Where’s my Facebook, I need to go on Facebook!’” he mocked.
There are multiple partisans in the debate on social networking, and how it ties in to academics. While many believe it the future of learning, just as many believe it a passing fad. Where some see as a distraction, others find a beneficial tool.
Even in PBA, a divide exists between acolytes of social networking and opponents. Regardless of the individual’s perspective, one thing is certain: social networking is here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future.