Students use of Facebook for peer-to-peer learning

Christian Dalsgaard, associate professor

@chrdalsgaard
cdalsgaard@tdm.au.dk





Centre for Teaching Development and Digital Media
Aarhus University
Denmark

What are the educational potentials of

Facebook groups?

Educational potentials of Facebook?

Facebook as a Learning Management System

Facebook for social integration

Study upper secondary education

17 schools
182 teachers
2035 students
5 student Facebook groups

Learning Management Systems (LMS)

vs.
Social media

To what extent do you use LMS to communicate with your

teacher?
Almost all the time
Often
Sometimes
Rarely
Never
Dont know

To what extent do you use social media to communicate with your

teacher?
Almost all the time
Often
Sometimes
Rarely
Never
Dont know

To what extent do you use LMS to help or receive help from fellow
students regarding homework?
Almost all the time
Often
Sometimes
Rarely
Never
Dont know

To what extent do you use social media help or receive help from
fellow students regarding homework?
Almost all the time
Often
Sometimes
Rarely
Never
Dont know

Students use LMS to communicate with teachers

Students rarely use LMS to help each other

Students rarely use social media to communicate with teachers

Students use social media to help each other

Student-managed Facebook groups

5 Facebook groups
Total
3139 posts
15018 comments


Average
1 post
4 comments
per day

Categories of communication
Social posts not relating to school work
Social events in school
Social events outside school
Academic posts
Subject matter
Study technique
Administrative issues

Where are the materials for classical civilization?"

How do you define something in Maple?"

Where should we submit the math assignment?"

Biology is moved to Thursday"

The Danish lesson is cancelled"

How do you use sinus in Maple?"

What are the educational potentials of

Facebook groups?

Facebook for peer-to-peer learning

Facebook is not only for social integration and non-academic communication

Students use Facebook groups to help each other with school work
Students take on the role of teachers and utilise Facebook groups for peer-topeer learning

THANK YOU!
Christian Dalsgaard
@chrdalsgaard
cdalsgaard@tdm.au.dk