Using facebook within a geriatric pharmacotherapy course

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate using an Internet-based social networking site within an elective geriatric pharmacotherapy course. Design. Thirty pharmacy students enrolled in a geriatric pharmacotherapy elective course were invited to join a closed Facebook (Facebook Inc, Palo Alto, CA) group to enhance communication among students and faculty members within the course. Creating a discussion board was the primary activity in the course. Each week, 3 students were assigned to post a healthy aging topic, and other students in the class were expected to post their comments and reactions. The healthy aging topics also were discussed during class. Assessment. Students wrote reflections about their experiences using Facebook for the activities within this course. A survey instrument also measured students' opinions about using Facebook for educational purposes. Conclusion. Using Facebook allowed students to discuss topics more openly and encouraged classroom discussions of healthy aging topics.