Title: Facebook as an assisted learning tool in problem-based learning: the Bahrain case

Authors: Vasileios Paliktzoglou; Jarkko Suhonen

Addresses: School of Computing, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu Campus, P.O. Box 111, FIN-80101 Joensuu, Finland ' School of Computing, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu Campus, P.O. Box 111, FIN-80101 Joensuu, Finland

Abstract: Facebook is one of the social media technologies with applications in many domains, including education. This study describes the students' engagement with Facebook as an assisted learning tool in problem-based learning (PBL) cohort in Bahrain. Additionally, we analyse the reception of the students towards Facebook as a learning aid tool. A range of mixed methods data collection techniques and triangulation was performed to reveal the complexity of the topic under investigation. The data collection was through (pre and post) questionnaires and an interview. The empirical data showed that the use of Facebook as a learning tool had a positive impact on students. The study provides experimental evidence that social networks and more specifically Facebook can be used as an educational tool in PBL context to help engage students in the use of social media.

Keywords: Facebook; higher education; social media; collaborative learning; Web 2.0 tools; problem-based learning; PBL; Bahrain; assisted learning tools; student engagement; social networks.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSMILE.2014.059694

International Journal of Social Media and Interactive Learning Environments, 2014 Vol.2 No.1, pp.85 - 100

Received: 03 May 2013
Accepted: 26 Jul 2013

Published online: 13 May 2014 *

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