The Impacts and Efficacy of Social Networks as Part of e-Learning at the English Department, Petra Christian University

Marsella Hatane

Petra Christian University, Indonesia

Background

• Students and lecturers at the English Department, Petra Christian University, have used internet to support their activities, works, and assignment.

• Internet social networks

Background

• Facebook• Users have reached the number of four

hundred million users from all over the world.

• English Dept. share assignment and announcement easily

• Facebook classroom activities• Research Paper Writing Class• discussion boardhttp://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=12985792472

Thesis Statement

• The use of group discussion in facebook should offer some strong points and advantages to the students.

Research Question

• What are the advantages and/or disadvantages of the use of facebook discussion group in research paper writing class?

• Is the use of facebook discussion board in the research paper writing class is efficient?

Theories

• Advantages– Serves as a medium for experiencing and

presenting creative works. (Singhal, 1997)

– Promotes higher order thinking skills. (Mike, 1996)

– Increases the participation when it is used in classroom environment (Sullivan and Pratt, 1996; Warschauer, 1996).

– It changes teacher and students' roles (Peterson, 1997) and makes learning more student-centered.

Theories

• Disadvantages– When lines are busy due to many users,

it may take time to access information or browse the Net and technical glitches themselves can lead to frustration (Singhal, 1997).

Method

• Questionnaire• Given in the Facebook discussion

board• 40 writing students Research

Paper Writing Class

Findings and Discussion

• Efficacy from Facecook Discussion Board

Findings and Discussion

Findings and Discussion

Conclusion and Suggestion

• Facebook discussion board gives a number of benefits to the students such as improving their critical thinking, grammar, writing, and communication skills, and also exposing them to current issues.

• Facebook discussion board is a technology that will have significant implications for both teaching and learning.

• Teachers are encouraged to explore Facebook, its various functions, as well as its possible benefits.