This is a guest post from Karen Schweitzer, who writes on About.com and about Online Classes.
Facebook’s not just a gigantic time-sink, making you less and less productive as the service gets more and more popular. There are lots of ways to make Facebook more useful, and apps are one of the best. Thanks to its huge universe of applications, Facebook actually offers a number of ways for students, and anyone who’s still game for a little learning, to figure out something new.
These apps can enhance online learning, give you more control over your schedule, and make it easier to interact with professors and classmates. They’re particularly good for students of all ages, but they can help anyone who’s looking to further their learning, or get a little more organized. Here are 15 Facebook apps worth exploring (and worth telling your parents about, so they’ll leave you alone about all the time you spend on the site):
Course Hero - The Course Hero Facebook app is a social learning network built for students, teachers, and self-learners to share and view online academic resources. The app also provides helpful links to other open educational resources.
Teach the People – Teach the People is an educational app for teachers and students who want to share and find knowledge on Facebook. The goal of this app is to provide a collaborative community where students and instructors can learn from one another.
Blackboard Learn – Blackboard and Facebook are now working together through this unique app that allows users to get updates on educational course information. With this app, students can receive assignments, grades, forum posts, and connect with classmates through Facebook.
Weekly Schedule – Weekly Schedule provides a way for Facebook users to display their weekly schedule to their friends. The app is perfect for study groups and for classmates who want to work together on assignments, notes, and other projects.
Courses 2.0 – Courses 2.0 is a class schedule-sharing app. This Facebook app allows students to share and coordinate schedules as well as add tests, events, and assignment due dates.
Podclass – Podclass provides a way for teachers, educators, and self-learners to access their course content. The app interfaces with Moodle, making it easy to manage classes, post messages, and interact with students all within Facebook
Check My Campus – This app allows college students to post videos and images of college life. Check My Campus makes it easy to stay in touch with events on your campus. It is also great for college bound students who want to get a real look inside the colleges they are considering
Language Exchange - Facebook members looking to learn a new language will love this unique language learning app. It can be used to find language partners around the world, teach a new language, and learn about interesting cultures.
Dictionary.com: Word of the Day – Lifelong learners will find this app, provided by Dictionary.com, an invaluable way to expand their vocabulary. It is based on the site’s popular Word of the Day feature and makes it simple to learn a new word with every daily trip to Facebook.
Quiz Creator – This quiz creation app from Facebook offers a way for teachers to post educational quizzes for students. Students can also use this app as a studying tool to quiz themselves or their classmates.
CampusBuddy – CampusBuddy is a Facebook app that connects classmates from schools around the globe. The apps also provides features to evaluate schools and professors.
We Read – WeRead, a large and popular book app on Facebook, provides a way for book lovers and learners to write reviews, rate books, and list titles they are reading. Learners can also use this app for find recommendations and others with similar book interests.
Veechi Classes – The Veechi Classes app features illustrative charts for college students to find the right professors and courses. The app also provides a way for students to find and connect with schools and classmates for greater college success
Typing Speed – Typing Speed is a Facebook app that provides a fun way to increase your speed and accuracy while comparing results with your friends and others. The keyboarding test also allows you to practice for faster skill mastery.
ArtShare - Art students will thoroughly enjoy this Facebook app that connects you to works of art from worldwide museums. Artists can also use this app to upload and share their own works of art.
Facebook, for students of all ages, can be a great way to make learning a little more productive, efficient, and fun. Plus, it’s an awesome excuse to spend, like, a LOT of time on Facebook.
What’s your favorite Facebook app?
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Val
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Brittany
