Facebook in Higher Education Courses: An Analysis of Students’ Attitudes,Community of Practice, and Classroom Community

Abstract

Educators wanting to enhance their classroom learning environment are finding Facebook to be a beneficial supplement. This study aims to determine students’ attitudes and perceptions of courses into which Facebook has been incorporated. In a posttest only research design involving 106 students at two large public universities, it was found that students were favorably disposed toward the classroom use of Facebook. They perceived that it enhanced their senses of social learning and connectedness, with older students experiencing a stronger effect. Implications for how Facebook can enhance higher education courses and for the management of social media in the classroom are discussed.
Key words: Facebook in higher education; Communities of practice; Classroom community; Social learning and effectiveness; Learner-centered activities