Using online social networking for teaching and learning: Facebook use at the University of Cape Town

“For example, students used Facebook to provide general information around voter education, as well as enable voters to join particular groups to express their intent to vote for certain election candidates (Bosch, 2009).”

“…predominantly as a social tool and they use it to maintain connections with others, to follow updates about friends, to plan social events, or to make new friends (Bosch, 2009; Ellison et al., 2007; Joinson, 2008; Lewis & West, 2009; Pempek, Yevdokiya, & Calvert, 2009; Urista, Dong, & Day, 2009).”

“From a different perspective, in another study (Bosch, 2009) students listed a number of benefits related to their use of Facebook, ranging from identifying and finding learning materials, helping friends to answer questions about academic logistics, to connecting with others about holiday projects…”

“Whilst there are some reports that students use Facebook instinctively to support both their academic and social goals (Bosch, 2009; Madge et al., 2009; Mazman & Usluel, 2010; Tian, Yu, Vogel & Kwok, 2011), the majority of evidence suggests that students’ main motive for using Facebook is for…”

“Facebook, for example, provides an easy to use tool for interactions and exchange of information anytime and anywhere, among students themselves as well as between students and instructors (Bosch, 2009).”

“In addition, the findings replicate those previously reported by Ajjan and Hartshorne (2008), Bosch (2009), Browning, Gerlich, and Westermann (2011), Maloney (2007), Mason (2006) and Mazman and Usluel (2010) who equally found that social media technologies facilitate active learning, collaboration,…”

“The notion of conflict over identity is also raised by Manca and Ranieri (2013), and, to a lesser extent, by Dabbagh and Kitsantas (2011) who identified that there might be conflict over the level of personalisation available on the site.”

“Mobile learning (Smartphones’ experiences and uses): The six items of this factor reflect certain ways of looking at ICT and mobile learning as well as its impact on teaching practice.”

“Furthermore, Bosch (2009) reported that Twitter is of distracting nature where students spend unproductive time tweeting and deviate their attention from focussing on their studies.”

“More recently, Bosch conducted qualitative studies of Facebook use among South African college students [6,7].”

“With the ever growing diffusion of open social network sites, first among university students and, at a later stage, among secondary school students, issues related to the relationship between students and teachers (Bosch 2009; Cheung and Vogel 2011; Madge et al. 2009; Selwyn 2009) and how to behave appropriately in t…”

“Research has also demonstrated that students have used Facebook effectively for academic purposes and activism (Bosch, 2009; Grosseck et al., 2011).”

“However, a counter view with empirical evidence exposed that Facebook and YouTube potentially distract students and they often end up spending more time in unproductive work online instead of focusing on their studies (Bosch, 2009).”

“Researchers argue that social network systems should be a part of the classroom experience to support education communication, interaction, and relationships (Bosch, 2009).”

“…Pempek et al., 2009 ), to express oneself (Papacharissi & Mendelson, 2011; Pempek et al., 2009 ), to learn (Ellison et al., 2007; Roblyer et al. 2010 ), to manage tasks (Young & Quan-Haase, 2009) and for student activism, that is, joining certain groups of interest (Bosch, 2009; Foregger, 2008 ).”

“As a result, many universities block the use of social networking sites (Bosch 2009), especially Facebook, in their institutions.”

“Evidences from Bosch (2009) have shown that students and teachers spend a lot of time on Facebook that it is possible to post some academic issues and access some immediate response.”

“ersity life. Chu and Meulemans (2008) realised also that the majority of graduates used Facebook to communicate with other students about their course, assignment, lecturer, and classes. In addition, Bosch (2009) shows that compared to university course sites, a large number of students are more engaged with Facebook…”

“…Ndebele, and Muhandji (2014), for example, examine the effect of Facebook on students’ engagement and collaboration in the learning process while Bosch (2009) notes the potential positive benefits of using Facebook particularly for the development of educational micro-communities, but she also…”

“For instance, even though Facebook was launched primarily for social networking activity, it is quickly being recognized as a respectable e-learning platform (Bosch, 2009).”

“A study at the University of Cape Town analyzed the content of 150 randomly selected Facebook profiles of students (Bosch, 2009).”

“They mainly use it to maintain pre-established relationships (Bosch, 2009; Lewis & West, 2009; Pempek, Yermolayeva, & Calvert 2009; Tosun, 2012; Young & Quan-Haase, 2009).”

“A student who has developed self-confidence [Bosch, 2009] can contact his/her teachers outside the classrooms [Selwyn, 2009].”

“This finding is also supported by prior research on the use of social media platforms by users in low-income settings [3,41].”

“…the benefits of using social networking in learning studies and further research is needed to determine the actual impact of social media in the learning process as well as communication among students and instructors (Al-Qoot & Abu-Jado, 2016; Bosch, 2009; Green, Wyllie, & Jackson, 2014).”

“These categories – especially the social events outside school – are not very well represented within the literature on Facebook as an institutional first space (Bosch 2009; Meishar-Tal, Kurtz, and Pieterse 2012; Wang et al. 2012).”

“Social networking tools are increasingly common in the workplace [69] and in study, and study-related discussion and materials will inevitably appear in these fora [8] , with associated issues of plagiarism and breaches of confidentiality.”

“…learning experiences through peer-to-peer interaction (Goodwin, Kennedy, & Vetere 2010; Madge et al. 2009; Selwyn 2009; Yu et al. 2010) and aid in the development of classroom community or feelings of connectedness among students (Barc-zyk, Nareddy, & Duncan 2012; Bosch 2009; Hurt et al. 2012).”

“Boyd and Ellison (2007) have defined these tools as spaces that allow users to create both public and semi-public profiles, compile lists that collect the profiles of other users and view connections made by users within the system.”

“Their involvement in and usage for academic purposes, and the relationship between students’ SNS acceptance and SNS involvement in learning and teaching have not been studied (Bosch, 2009; Chen & Bryer, 2012).”

“The previous studies have confirmed its effectiveness in learning and teaching in educational environments (Bosch 2009; Liccardi et al. 2007; Yang and Tang 2003; Yu et al. 2010).”

“Some of these factors are not unique to MZUNI because Bosch (2009) reported of poor bandwidths at UCT in South Africa and Bista (2015) reported about charges (cost of data bundles) incurred when using Twitter at a public university in the USA.”

“Indeed, Facebook may be just the tool we need to stimulate collaborative student-led learning (Bosch, 2009).”

“Nevertheless, while some research examining Facebook has been done in non-Western countries and in particular some African countries (Bosch, 2009; Uimonen; 2013, Wyche, Forte & Schoenebeck, 2013; Wyche, Schoenebeck & Forte, 2013), there is still much to learn about how these and other factors…”

“In majority of these studies, suggestions that educational use of SNSs have to be researched practically have been made (Bosch, 2009; Madge, et.al, 2009; Yuen & Yuen, 2008; Anderson, 2007; Solomon & Schrum, 2007; Kosik, 2007).”

“One of the few articles at the time of writing which spoke directly to the appropriation of Facebook as a CMS tool was an article by Bosch (2009)”

“Although studies have reported that using social media enables one to collaborate, share, communicate and have fun [7, 17, 22, 44, 52], little is known whether similar factors affect the use of social media among the students in a developing country, such as Malaysia.”

“Collaboration, communication, material sharing, peer feedback, and social media prowess are considered the main factors important for educational usage of a social media platform [9,11-13].”

“…2008; Pempek et al., 2009; Sheldon, 2008; Stern & Taylor, 2007); (f) to express or present oneself (Joinson, 2008; Pempek et al., 2009); (g) for learning purposes (Bosch, 2009; Pempek et al., 2009); (h) as a task management tool (Young & Quan-Haase, 2009); and (i) for activism (Bosch, 2009).”

“Although research on the effectiveness of social media for teaching-learning purposes is still in infancy, it is becoming more apparent that social media (some studies specifically referring to Facebook) as a social networking tool has the potential to be a transformational technique for learning, especially within hi…”

“In this context, educational potential of SNS cannot be ignored considering that students take part in discussions and group activities voluntarily in SNS everyday (Bosch, 2009; Kabilan, Ahmad, & Abidin, 2010; Odabasi et al., 2012; Selwyn, 2009; Tonta, 2009).”

“However, others have focused on analysing the use of social networks in teaching courses (Badge, Sunders and Cann, 2011; Barczyk and Duncan, 2013; Bosch, 2009; Hwang and Brummans, 2011; Mazman et al., 2010) and have reported positive results, not only with regard to performance, but also in terms…”

“Although the English language is used on these sites and translation options are provided, it still does not include all languages and the accuracy level of the translations might not be appropriate [70].”

“Learning (including assistance in completing schoolwork) is one of nine motives for Facebook use (Hew, 2011; Bosch, 2009; Pempek et al., 2009).”

“(2010), and Bosch (2009) all reported that students use SNSs for communicating with people and friends, for making new friends, and for maintaining relationships.”

“Her findings highlight the potential benefits of using Facebook in teaching and learning, particularly to support the development of educational micro-communities at the University of Cape Town [6].”

“Many of these studies have investigated the general use of SNS in providing collegial support and enhancing networking opportunities (Bosch, 2009; Madge, Meek, Wellens, & Hooley, 2009; Wodzicki, Schwämmlein, & Moskaliuk, 2012).”

“The use of the Internet for searching and retrieving information may have contributed to a fundamental shift in learning styles (Bosch, 2009).”

“Researchers argue that social network systems should be a part of the classroom experience to support education communication, interaction, and relationships (Bosch, 2009).”

“…(Maloney, 2007; Mazman and Usluel, 2010), interaction, information and resource sharing (Mazman and Usluel, 2010; Wang et al., 2012), increased communication and discussion between teachers and students (Bosch, 2009; Browning et al., 2011) and also providing students with 21st-century skills.”

“…Facebook to provide election information about certain student groups, and to enable voters to express their intention to vote for certain candidates) (Bosch, 2009; Ellison et al., 2007; Joinson, 2008; Pempek et al., 2009; Selwyn, 2009; Stern & Taylor, 2007; Urista et al., 2009; Zhao et al., 2008).”

“This is a place where individuals from the same profession, or of the same passions and interests can meet virtually and share ideas that will enhance the objectives of the group (Bosch, 2009; Staudt, St. Clair, & Martinez, 2013).”

“…use of Account on the use of Facebook for university students considering daily time use and activities developed on the social network Bosch T. E. 23 (Bosch 2009) 22 Investigates the use of Facebook for teaching and learning by students at the University of Cape Town (South Africa) Cain J.”

“Consistent with Bosch (2009), teachers in this study used Facebook to streamline class time more efficiently and to stay focused on the content, rather than on resolving administrative issues.”