Use of Facebook in Higher Education: An extension of classroom learning

Higher education is witnessing significant transformation due to Internet and computer mediated communication. Extant research suggests that new technologies such as Web 2.0 which include blogs, social media and collaborative content sites such as Wiki have positively enhanced the education related outcomes in higher education. Social networking tools like Facebook and Twitter have established themselves as powerful communication and collaboration tools due to the perceived educational needs of the current generation of students enrolled in higher education also known as the ‘digital natives’. Existing literature establishes that Facebook facilitates collaborative learning, extends classroom interaction and encourages even introvert students to participate in the learning process. Though the use of social media in developed countries is a tried and tested method for enhancing learning outcomes, educators and students in developing countries like India are still tinkering with the idea. The reluctance to extend learning beyond the formal classroom set-up emanates due to a variety of factors: Educators are ill-equipped technically to use the Web 2.0 technology effectively, the perception of both stakeholders that social media particularly Facebook is meant for social networking and entertainment and proves to be a ‘distraction’ in academics. This research paper explores the role of Facebook in creating a classroom extension in higher education by educators and students of multiple streams of mass communication located in Delhi and NCR. It employs a survey of both students and educators to understand the usage of Facebook in providing positive learning outcomes.