University students' informal learning practices using Facebook: Help or hindrance?

Abstract

Facebook (FB) has gained worldwide popularity and Higher Education Institutions have an interest in the Social Network Site's (SNSs) potential to support student learning and peer networking. This research paper reports on the findings from one online discussion group with 15 students from the University of South Australia about their preferences, experiences and use of FB for informal learning. This research found that students accessed and used FB in different ways. FB was used for informal learning via the use of status updates, private messaging, instant chat, tagging and FB 'groups'. Students in the group often viewed FB as a source of procrastination; however, some students felt the benefits of FB to support their learning outweighed the issue of the SNS as a distraction. Some students reported that they increased their use of FB during assessment periods and a number of students used 'SNS self-control' practices that inhibited or reduced their use of FB. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.