This is a fairly convincing article comparing online discussions via Facebook to an institutional tool. It has a few problems though. The article raises the emotive nature of formal Facebook use but does not consider non-Facebook (less "social"), non-institutional tools such as Google+. The clear implication is that any Facebook activity should never be assessed (with concomitant loss of participation in many cases). Also, with this cohort, face to face classroom discussions come out better than online discussions. Take that MOOCs!The ‘Facebook' Effect: College Students' Perceptions of Online Discussions in the Age of Social Networking. International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, Vol. 6, No. 2. (July 2012)
Despite the growing prominence of Facebook in the lives of college students, few studies have investigated the potential of these innovative web-based communication tools for engaging students in academic discussions. This study used a pre-test, post-test design in two introductory-level courses at a large public university to compare students’ (n = 107) perceptions of, attitudes toward, and perceived learning associated with two different online discussion tools: the Facebook group forum and a university-sponsored online tool. Although pre-course surveys indicated that few students enjoyed online discussions, postcourse analysis revealed significant changes in students’ opinions regarding the value and functionality of web-based discussion forums, with Facebook as their clear preference. Students who participated in Facebook discussions enjoyed the site’s familiarity, navigability, and aesthetically appealing interface. Facebook users also reported that they were able to become better acquainted with classmates, felt like valued participants in the course, and learned more course material. This study suggests that, if used appropriately, Facebook may help to increase college student engagement in certain learning contexts by cultivating classroom community and stimulating intellectual discourse.
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