Introduction to Facebook groups for teachers from Claire Amos

Groups make it easy for members of a community to connect, share and even collaborate on a given 

topic or idea. For example, you could create a group called “Year 13 Science" where you and your 

students can contribute to group discussions. Or you could create a group for all of the educators in 

your department to collaborate on lesson plans and share ideas.

• Online discussion
• Provide a space for students to ask each other for help
• Post useful links, resources
• Email reminders to students with new Facebook group email functionality!

• Chat as a group
• Talk to group members in real time, or catch up with the conversation later.
• Connect over email
• Send and receive updates using the group email address, just like a mailing list.
• Control who sees what
• You control your group's privacy settings, and only members can add friends to the group.

You can create a group by clicking "Create Group" in the left hand column of the home page. A pop-up 

box will appear where you will be able to add a group name, invite members and select the privacy 

settings for your group. Click "Create Group" when you are finished. You can also create a group from 

http://www.facebook.com/Groups. Next, you will be able to add a group description and a group picture. 

You can change these settings at any time by clicking "Edit Group" on the group‟s main page. 

To join a group, click "Request to Join this Group" under the group picture on the right side of the 

screen. You can also be added to a group by a friend who is already a member. Since groups require 

admin approval for you to join, you may have to wait for an admin to confirm your request before you 

can join the group. Admins can also block specific people from joining a group. Certain groups on 

Facebook are secret and will not appear in search results. You cannot request to join these. Only being 

added by an existing member will give you access to those.

Use the share menu at the top of the group to post updates, links, photos, videos, events or docs to the 

group. 

Check out the "Facebook in Education‟ Best Practice Document

Make sure you and your student‟s privacy settings are set to “friends only”

Don‟t “friend” any students

Don‟t communicate late at night

Have another teacher join your group to further protect yourself

Establish appropriate behaviours for group

Tip – Make your group name unique e.g. include Level, Subject, Teacher Name, Year (this will 

ensure your student can find your group).

Step-by-step Guide available at: http://www.wikihow.com/Create-a-New-Facebook-Group