Facebook Application Trial for CAS students
This spring, in response to input from students, MSU has decided to pilot-test a third-party Facebook application called "Schools." The application enables students to share schedules in Facebook using scheduling information from the registrar. Students will be able to use this application to find other students in their classes and contact them to arrange study groups, chat about class, do other class-specific activities like share status messages, or just learn more about them. The College of Communication Arts and Sciences is going to be pilot-testing this application in the spring. Instructors of individual classes must give permission for the class to be included in the pilot. Student participation will be assumed as "opt in", but students may opt out by indicating this at a Registrar's website: Opt out of this trial
Q: Why is MSU adopting this application?
A: When Facebook was first introduced, the profile included a field that you could fill out which listed your current classes. This made it easy to find out whether you knew anyone in a large lecture class and to find out more about them. When Facebook eliminated this field, it made it harder for MSU students to find other people in their classes and to use Facebook to get to know them or to contact them. Once you opt-in, your name will show up on the course roster, and you can use the application to see who is in your classes, communicate with them, and do other class-specific activities like share status messages. Simply put, it makes it easier for students to find others in their classes and (depending on privacy settings) learn more about them, a process that can help makes classes feel more like communities.
Currently more than 90% of MSU students have a Facebook account and researchers in CAS have identified social benefits associated with Facebook use [see http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol12/issue4/ellison.html]. Many of our students use Facebook to support their social and academic goals. In fact, according to recent survey findings, about half of our students have used Facebook to arrange a study group or meeting, more than half have used it to discuss classes or schoolwork, and about one-third reported using Facebook to "collaborate on an assignment in a way that your instructor would like." Seven out of ten (69%) have used Facebook to contact another student with a question related to class or schoolwork. MSU is interested in encouraging these kinds of activities among students.
Q: Can I invite friends from other colleges in the application?
A: No. Because we are just running a pilot trial for Spring semester, the application is only available to selected classes in CAS and so you won’t be able to invite other MSU students just yet.
Q: Some of my friends don’t appear in the application, or only some of their classes show up. Why is this?
A: Currently, MSU is using an “opt-in” process for adding courses. If an instructor hasn’t agreed to participate, the class rosters from those classes won’t be added to the application.
Q: One of my classes doesn’t show up, although I am using the application with my other classes. What is going on?
A: Currently, MSU is using an “opt-in” process for adding courses. If an instructor hasn’t agreed to participate, the class rosters from those classes won’t be added to the application. You might try politely asking the instructor to join or talking with him or her about how you use the site.
Q: What about my personal information? Is it being shared with anyone without my permission?
A: This program complies with all the privacy requirements governing student personal information and does NOT overwrite the privacy settings you already have in Facebook. It uses these settings to determine who sees what about your schedule. You have total control over the process.
Q: What does the application do?
A: If you read the email explaining the application and don’t opt out, the application will pull your class schedule into the “Schools” Facebook application. This will enable other students to see your schedule, depending on your privacy settings. If you don’t opt-out but don’t add the application, other students will see your name and will have the ability to request friending. (This is similar to the default settings in ANGEL, which are used by the majority of MSU instructors.)
Q: Will “official” information be communicated through Facebook?
A: No. Schools is not intended to be a replacement for ANGEL, and you are unlikely to receive any official course announcements through the system.
Q: I have a question which isn’t addressed in the FAQ.
A: Please contact The Office of the Registrar at reg@msu.edu with any questions.
