Facebook as a Pedagogical Tool in Fostering Students’ Critical Thinking Skills

Abstract

This study examineswhether the implementation of Facebook as a pedagogical tool enhances critical thinking skills among final year accounting students who enrolled in financial statement analysis course. A Facebook group was set up and students were encouraged students to use the Facebook group as a platform to discuss and share resources relating to their group project. The critical thinking skills is analysed based on students’ achievement in addressing thegroup project, which is assessed using a rubric for critical thinking skills. The study finds that the use of the Facebook group fosters critical thinking skills among students with the Facebook group (the experimental group) as compared to students without the Facebook group (the control group). These findings are noteworthy since final year accounting students are struggling with critical thinking skills, yet it is an essential skill for accounting professionals. The results of this study is hoped to encourage educators in the digital age to make use of social media as a technology-enhanced learning environment for the benefits of students.