FOR THE WEEK OF MAR. 11, 2013
Coming soon to your screen: Facebook changes its news feed to give users more content choices
Facebook's boss compares its news feed to a newspaper. List ways that those information sources are similar and ways that they are not alike.
Show one or more examples of how newspapers use social media and mobile phones, and recognize them as part of daily life.
What parts of newspaper design – online or in print – do you like or think could be better? Discuss how the layout of a website or published material can make it more inviting.
Don't get to comfortable with your Facebook news feed – it's changing dramatically. The company last week previewed upgrades that include larger photos, longer preview text when friends post links and the ability to see recent activity just by preferred categories. Instead of two choices for how to sort your news feed -- "top stories" and "most recent" – the revised Facebook will offer seven options.
Users will be able to toggle between multiple versions of their news feed. One shows updates only from friends; another is limited to people designated as close friends. One is all photos, one has nothing but music, and one is devoted to pages you “like” and public figures you follow. A gradual rollout of the new look is under way. It'll be a few months until all users gain access. When you're eligible, a button to switch to it will be atop your page. New versions of Facebook’s mobile apps will become available in the next few weeks. .
A day after Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and company executives announced their new moves at a California media briefing, Time magazine posted an article headlined "Is Facebook Losing Its Cool? Some Teens Think So." It quotes a 15-year-old at Briarwood Christian High School in Birmingham, Ala., who's annoyed that her parents, aunts and uncles "are constantly commenting on your stuff." The magazine notes that "the world's biggest social network is now just one of an assortment of social apps teens use on their smart phones instead of the nexus of their social media activity."
Facebook founder says: "What we're trying to do is give everyone in the world the best personalized newspaper. It should have quality public content from friends. It should have a front page and it should let you drill down into any topic you want." – Mark Zuckerberg, Feb. 7 announcement
Teach writer says: "Overall, the updates should make sure there’s always something new to look at on Facebook. Rather than scrolling to the bottom of your main feed and then leaving the site, you might go check out the photos or music feeds." – John Constine at techcrunch.com
Blogger says: "Every time a consumer hits the newsfeed button, life becomes a box of chocolates. You just never know what you're going to get." – Mitch Joel, Toronto marketing blogger at twistimage.com
Front Page Talking Points Archive
Common Core State Standard
SL.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: An essay of a current news event is provided for discussion to encourage participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the article. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event within the news, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support.
©2024 Boston Herald in Education and Online Publications Inc. and NIEonline.com
