Using Social Networks Communication Platform for Promoting Student-Initiated Holistic Development Among Students

Abstract

This article follows previous research works on the possibility of applying online social networks for educational purposes, and mainly focuses on how Facebook is being used as a platform to communicate among students of a student development project run by a local tertiary institute in Hong Kong which aimed to facilitate promotion and foster participation and interaction. The study takes on the perspectives from 7 student coaches and evaluate on the positive achievement as well as difficulties in promoting self-initiated holistic development via Facebook from 2011 to 2013. The study shows that instant interaction between participants and student coaches via Facebook leads to faster and more effective information circulation compared to traditional communication channels such as email, posters or bulletins. However, the lack of proactive discussions initiated by participants themselves, and the difficulties in establishing and maintaining active interactions between coaches and participants had been observed. Such passive practice by participants has hindered the effectiveness of fostering self-initiated holistic development.