Academic Use of a Group on Facebook: Initial Findings and Perceptions

Abstract

Social networking sites, especially Facebook, are an integral part of the lifestyle of contemporary youth. The facilities are increasingly being used by older persons as well. Usage is mainly for social purposes, but the group- and discussion facilities of Facebook hold potential for focused academic use. This paper describes and discusses a venture in which postgraduate distance- learning students joined an optional group for the purpose of discussions on academic, content- related topics, largely initiated by the students themselves. Learning and insight were enhanced by these discussions and the students, in their environment of distance learning, are benefiting by contact with fellow students.