Researchers in Michigan State University's (MSU) Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media (TISM) are studying how social network sites (SNS) such as Facebook are used to connect and collaborate with others, and may actually produce social benefits for users including college students.
As part of this emphasis on collaboration through SNS, the research team is now exploring a less-studied aspect of Facebook – implications of use within educational settings, especially in relation to students’ use of the site to engage in collaborative activities such as study groups.
“In a recent survey, we explored the extent to which undergraduate students at MSU use Facebook to engage in classroom-related organizing,” says Nicole Ellison, assistant TISM professor and lead researcher on the project. “Over half said they were likely or very likely to use Facebook to arrange a face-to-face study group or to help manage a group project.”
Ellison explains that Facebook is preferred by the students to as they can determine common ground with their peers through access to their profile.
“Identity information found in profiles, such as high school, musical preferences and the 'friends' list, can help individuals develop common ground with their peers by highlighting commonalities such as shared hobbies or mutual friends.
“The use of Facebook to support learning inside and outside the classroom may be an untapped resource for instructors and students,” she says.
Source: Michigan State University
Writer: Suban Nur Cooley
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