[Air-L] question about use of Facebook in classroom

[Heidelberg, Chris]

Terrell:

Trust me I know all about those terms which most students routinely work
around by giving parts of their names. That is part of the reason that I
use Ning because you can set up a company name or an individual name.
Those terms of use are primarily there to protect Facebook and
advertisers from spamming,cyber-bulling, porn and more. I am not
suggesting that no one break their conditions I am suggesting that
students protect their identities by not providing their entire
identities online for large companies that data mine and will sell,
rent, lease or strategically ally )with others to get around this) your
identity aware. If Facebook could get rid of all of the pseudo accounts
their herd would look significantly thinner which is why there is
selective enforcement for the real bad actors.

Chris

-----Original Message-----
From: air-l-bounces at listserv.aoir.org
[mailto:air-l-bounces at listserv.aoir.org] On Behalf Of Terrell Russell
Sent: Thursday, August 21, 2008 12:06 PM
To: air-l at listserv.aoir.org
Subject: Re: [Air-L] question about use of Facebook in classroom

Heidelberg, Chris wrote:
> My big question is why don't you have students create pseudo accounts 
> to protect their identities. I use Facebook as a communications tool 
> as well as content distribution tool.
> 
> Chris
> 

Large unanswered social issues aside, I'd be wary of
requiring/compelling students to knowingly break the Terms of Service of
any company.

Creating an account with fake information, pooled passwords, or a group
account is directly addressed in the TOS at Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/terms.php

"
Registration Data; Account Security

In consideration of your use of the Site, you agree to (a) provide
accurate, current and complete information about you as may be prompted
by any registration forms on the Site ("Registration Data"); (b)
maintain the security of your password and identification; (c) maintain
and promptly update the Registration Data, and any other information you
provide to Company, to keep it accurate, current and complete; and (d)
be fully responsible for all use of your account and for any actions
that take place using your account.

...

User Conduct

In addition, you agree not to use the Service or the Site to:
- register for more than one User account, register for a User account
on behalf of an individual other than yourself, or register for a User
account on behalf of any group or entity;
...
- use or attempt to use another's account, service or system without
authorization from the Company, or create a false identity on the
Service or the Site.

"


These TOS's have largely been unchallenged in court in this regard as
far as I know (they're practically unenforceable in my opinion).  I'd
suggest considering whether you're willing to be the legal canary in the
coal mine (yourself, and on behalf of your students).


Terrell
PhD Student
SILS at UNC-CH


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