If I am writing a “how to” book about Facebook targeted at 40-60 year olds with basic web/email competence, first I would need to break down Facebook into its component applications, such as the news feed, chat, profile, wall, and photo applications. Separating the applications make the book organized so that it is easier for those who are older and unaware of social networking technologies understand what Facebook can be used for in their daily life. Thus, organization increases the effectiveness of communication to the target audience by telling them what features exist and also, how these features can be valued in their lives. For example, the chat, message, and photo applications can be used by parents and grandparents to communicate information to their son/daughter and grandchildren when they are long distances away from each other. In addition, Facebook can be used to communicate to employee information while they are on vacation.
I would explain Facebook to my audience by using existing technological frameworks that they have seen or used. This concept is seen when Orlikowski states “When confronted by a new technology, individuals try to understand it in terms of their existing technological frames, often augmenting these frames to accommodate special aspects of the technology.” For example, my audience have seen or used similar technologies such as Email. Facebook contains some of the same features Email contains but at a more sophisticated level, such as messaging your friends note and posting photos as opposed to emailing it to them. A training session would be needed to show how the same applications of email are integrated into Facebook. The audience would need to know how to regularly incorporate these applications into their everyday lives by placing value on connecting with old friends and family members who are far away. Also, when posting photos and notes everyone who is your unrestricted friend can see them rather than sending multiple emails. In effect, Facebook saves time in that sense and your return on investment increases. However, at the same time your return on investment in terms of time can decrease if you spend too much time on Facebook. It may be enjoyable to use but it can be distracting in the workplace.
During the training session the rewards for using Facebook can be emphasized in terms of its sites features. The profile feature allows you to make new friends. The photo, chat, message, and note applications allows you to chare important and precious moments with family members and friends.
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I think it is a great idea to organize the features and applications of Facebook so that they could refer to it when they are confused or lost about what to do with it. It would be nice to add in the beginning of the book what social functions Facebook offers so that the emphasis on learning is not just for personal use, but for efficient social networking.
ReplyDeleteAlso, how would you ensure that the training session would change their technological frames at the same time not overwhelming the audience with details of using the features and applications on Facebook?
I agree with the concept of breaking the book down into well organized sections. Additionally, though, I feel each section should be divided in half. The first half of the section should present an introduction to, and complete knowledge on how to use the feature, followed by a separated "advanced skills" section. This way, the book wouldn't force users to learn complicated things they may not necessarily want to know. If they know where they can "stop" their understanding of certain features, I think they would be less intimidated by the powers of Facebook. For example, the creation and editing of friend lists should be in an advanced knowledge sub-section of "Friends." Most users would probably even take the time to learn these advanced sections once they come to terms with the flexibility of Facebook.
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