Facebook as e-learning tool for higher education institutes

Ijaz A Qureshi ,Hassan Raza ,Michael Whitty

doi:10.34105/j.kmel.2014.06.029

Ijaz A Qureshi , Hassan Raza + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.34105/j.kmel.2014.06.029

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Abstract

World is changing day by day in every aspect of life. A Smart City is an answer to different challenges such as socio-economic development and quality of life. In the way intelligent technology has brought enormous changes in urban development by altering the relation of production, consumption and distribution, it is now bringing enormous changes to the education sector. By providing technological opportunities for various ways of communication, the relationship between instructors and students has improved. Taking consideration of Facebook popularity in students, we argue that it can be used for educational purposes as well. A research study was conducted to analyze the student’s responses towards the use of Facebook for educational purposes based on a use case of educational institutions in Pakistan. We distributed 180 questionnaires among graduate and undergraduate students, out of which we received 140 completed questionnaires. The questionnaire was designed based on the four variables: Student’s perception, Academic Contribution, Student Faculty Relationship, and Concerns for Privacy and Distraction. The results demonstrate the willingness of students to use Facebook and social media for educational purposes alongside with their use for social purposes. The way, the enhanced link between students and faculty can contribute to the enrichment of cooperation and interaction in terms of connectivity between people, urban eco-system development and Smart Cities.

Highlights

Toward the implementation of a Smart City concept, cities are facing a major process of changes in education with an increasing demand for connectivity between people, and ever-presence (Winters, 2011)
Our research shows that Facebook can be used as an e-learning tool in Pakistan for educational purposes
There is a serious need for proper information and awareness culture among the student community in the country to ensure that value is added in the learning communities giving birth to Smart Cities in the developing countries besides some concerns regarding the use of Facebook for educational purposes, such as distraction, waste of time and security of information, which need proper technological solutions and a regulatory framework

Summary

Introduction

Toward the implementation of a Smart City concept, cities are facing a major process of changes in education with an increasing demand for connectivity between people, and ever-presence (Winters, 2011). Kaplan and Haenlein (2010) described the Internet as a bulletin board system that is allowing users to share data, software and news with each other. In case of social media, especially Facebook is already being used for social interactions in the society. We argue that it can be used for e-learning as well and can become a positive source to spread education and support the provision of quality informal education to all citizens in a Smart City concept. Facebook could be used to increase the interaction between students and faculty members in order to improve student’s academic performance

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