Facebook as Pedagogical Tool for College Teachers and Students - Tapa blanda

In Indonesia, Facebook tops the most populated Social Networking Sites (SNSs). Taking advantage of the features that Facebook provide, instructors do seem to have recognized its potential for teaching. This study examines uses of Facebook.com, as a pedagogical tool for teachers and students at a university in Indonesia. Through the perspectives uses and gratifications theory on new media, this study combines qualitative and quantitative approaches through interviews and a survey to teachers and students at the university. Results show that both students and teachers users apparently are primarily motivated to use Facebook in order to provide and receive information regarding classroom "activities" as well as other functions that support the teaching-learning process both for teachers and students. Results also show that Facebook when used frequently encourages more cordial relationships between teachers and students, which then resulted in a more positive manner on the teaching-learning environment: an outcome that was almost never anticipated.

Julia is a lecturer at the Dept. of Communications at Universitas Pelita Harapan, Indonesia.