Fakebook, a versatile tool

The leading role social networks are gaining at the moment is obvious as well as that students are devoting a large amount of their time to them. Without attempting to enter into a debate on their benefits and risks, sometimes a social alarm is created in view of certain cases of ciberbullying and/or grooming, but it is less usual to hear about the positive aspects that these Internet sites can provide. In the educational context we cannot support these networks, but we have to face the reality and educate students to use them responsibly.

In this case we would like to present Fakebook, although not being a social network, its design is similar to the famous Facebook. This similarity can be exploited, for example, in order to talk about social networks safety in the classroom. But its possibilities are indefinite, as it is indicated at the Fakebook site, from outlining a book plot to creating a debate; it all depends on the creativity and goals of the user.It is one of the applications provided by the ClassTools portal, which allows the creation of profiles with the relevant information (localization, pictures, videos, etc.) and contacts to include related people. Moreover, the relationships established between the protagonist and his/hers contacts can be shown through fictitious commentaries. Once the profile has been saved, a password is provided, necessary for further edition. Evereyone who knows the password can participate in profile elaboration, so this must not be a solitary task. Besides, the tool provides a url as well as an embed code .Thus our works can be linked or embedded into other web sites. On its home page you can consult a tutorial or watch a short video explaining how it works. The eTwinning  portal  already showcases  a project with Fakebook starring as the leading ICT tool. At Virtual Philosophy, the tool is used to simulate interviews with the most relevant philosophers; with these interviews the students have managed to understand in a fun way the diversity of philosophers’ thoughts. The following portrays one of these interviews:

As we frequently remind you when dealing with ICT tools, Fakebook is totally free. If you do not know how to implement this tool in your project, do not hesitate to ask your students; maybe they will come up with a good idea.