Comparison of the Use of Social Network in Education between North and South Cyprus

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine and compare the use of social networks in education of two private secondary and post-secondary schools in North and South of Cyprus with a focus on the possible differences and similarities. The use of social networks in education was investigated as new common classrooms in this study. A qualitative method of research was used to gain an insight deep understanding of the participants’ experiences, related to semi-structured interviews and observations. The study group consisted of 35 teachers interviewed by the researcher. The data was collected over the period between January and April 2013. Consequents showed that the two schools at both sides of Cyprus share common elements than differences, regarding the use of social networks in education. Significant difference between the two schools was that there was no school policy for using social networks in education in North although the teachers were positive to use social networks. However social networks were used for communication under the school policy in the South although the teachers were negative to use social networks in education. The similarities of North and South is to use SNs for communication, not for education and to avoid abuse of students for not knowing privacy and security matters and to promote teachers to spend more time and effort in eliminating inappropriate materials regarding lessons, and also to promote parents to appreciate the use of SNs in education. The difference between the North and South is that although using SNs for communication is school policy in the South, it is not a school policy in the North. Although North school teachers have positive perceptions for using SNs in education, the South teachers have negative perceptions.