The Potential for Facebook Application in Undergraduate Learning: A Study of Jordanian Students

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to explore the current and potential use of Facebook for learning purposes by Jordanian university students. The paper attempted to compare such use with other uses of Facebook. Further, the paper investigated Jordanian university students' attitudes towards using Facebook as a formal academic tool, through the use of course-specific Facebook groups.To that end, quantitative data were collected from a sample of 451 students from three Jordanian public universities. Findings indicated that the vast majority of Jordanian students had Facebook accounts, which echoes its popularity amongst Jordanian youth compared to other types of online social networking sites. While both "social activities" and "entertainment" were the primary motivators for Jordanian students to create and use Facebook accounts, a growing number of them were using Facebook for academic purposes too. Further, Jordanian students had a positive attitude toward the use of "Facebook groups" as an educational tool for specific courses, and under specific conditions. Based on its findings, the paper provides suggestions for Jordanian higher institutions to invest in the application of Facebook as a formal academic tool.

The Use, Impact, and Unintended Consequences of Mobile Web-Enabled Devices in University Classrooms

“…Research has shown that many students believe that using Social Networking Systems (SNS) such as Facebook and Twitter in class would be convenient (Alarabiat & Al-Mohammad, 2015;Karl & Peluchette, 2011;Roblyer, McDaniel, Webb, Herman, & Witty, 2010), as these systems are an integral part of their daily lives (Alarabiat & Al-Mohammad, 2015;Johnston, 2013). In a study of schools, Ruggiero and Mong (2015) found teachers used mobiles in the classroom to share ideas using social networking systems, as well as for email, attendance systems, and research.…”

“…In a study of schools, Ruggiero and Mong (2015) found teachers used mobiles in the classroom to share ideas using social networking systems, as well as for email, attendance systems, and research. Alarabiat and Al-Mohammad (2015) explored the use of Facebook for learning in three Jordanian universities. Similarly to most students globally, the majority of Jordanian students were members of Facebook and spent a considerable amount of time daily on Facebook.…”

“…Petersen and Johnston (2015) found 97% of South African university students surveyed were members of Facebook and spent 1-2 hours a day on Facebook. While socializing and recreation were the main uses of Facebook, an increasing number of students were using Facebook for academic purposes such as arranging study groups and meetings (Alarabiat and Al-Mohammad, 2015;Johnston, Chen, & Hauman, 2013).…”

“…Gerpott and Thomas (2014, p.291) reviewed "175 scholarly empirical publications on mobile Internet (MI) usage intensity levels and potential determinants of respective usage behavior at the individual subscriber level." Several papers have been written on the use of mobile devices for learning (Alarabiat & Al-Mohammad, 2015;Coldwell, Craig & Goold, 2011;, and teaching (Barjis et al, 2012;Jovanovic, Chiong & Weise, 2012). Many university students consider the use of Social Network Systems (SNS)…”

“…University students used their mobile web-enabled devices on campus for a variety of activities, which included Information gathering, Socializing on Facebook, Academic work, Course related administration, and Recreation such as playing games, listening to music, and watching videos (Alarabiat & Al-Mohammad, 2015;Johnston, 2013).…”