Using Facebook Within a Geriatric Pharmacotherapy Course

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate using an Internet-based social networking site within an elective geriatric pharmacotherapy course. Design. Thirty pharmacy students enrolled in a geriatric pharmacotherapy elective course were invited to join a closed Facebook (Facebook Inc, Palo Alto, CA) group to enhance communication among students and faculty members within the course. Creating a discussion board was the primary activity in the course. Each week, 3 students were assigned to post a healthy aging topic, and other students in the class were expected to post their comments and reactions. The healthy aging topics also were discussed during class. Assessment. Students wrote reflections about their experiences using Facebook for the activities within this course. A survey instrument also measured students' opinions about using Facebook for educational purposes. Conclusion. Using Facebook allowed students to discuss topics more openly and encouraged classroom discussions of healthy aging topics.

Uso das Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação no Curso de Medicina da UFRN

“…Esse dado aponta a utilização das redes sociais como um novo ambiente de ensino, uma vez que elas permitem criar um ambiente colaborativo e de construção do conhecimento 19,20 . Em relação à influência da língua inglesa no uso das TICs, um estudo 11 16 .…”

Use of Social Media by Pharmacy Preceptors

“…For example, pharmacy students who used Facebook in a geriatric pharmacotherapy elective found it to be a valuable asset to the class because it provided a platform to discuss topics in depth, empowered students to participate in class discussion, and improved relationships among students. 10 Given its growing popularity and increased applications in a variety of disciplines, use of social networking may begin to obscure the line between social and professional relationships. As such, social media has prompted pharmacy faculty members to emphasize the importance of e-professionalism to their students.…”

Facebook : un outil d’apprentissage en éducation médicale ?

“…L'obligation d'utiliser la plateforme de l'université en complément de Facebook dans d'autres composantes du même cursus a été notifiée par les étudiants comme un point faible. Comme dans les autres cas, le point le plus incertain était l'évaluation stricte de l'apport de cette technologie dans l'amélioration des compétences [22] .…”