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Facebook class groups of high school students: their role in establishing social dynamics and learning experiences

Learning Environments Research volume 23, pages 235–250 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

The study’s main aim was to explore the role of Facebook class groups, created and managed by high-school students, in facilitating social dynamics and learning experiences. Fourteen Facebook class groups were observed online and students were subsequently questioned through focus-group interviews. Our findings show that Facebook class groups can promote both bonding and learning. Bonding can be enhanced because Facebook class groups foster a sense of solidarity and unity among students. Also, Facebook can stimulate (social) learning because students gain more insights in the subject matter and are challenged to carry out an evaluation of their own study methods and progress. Therefore, drawing on the theories of seamless learning and affinity spaces, we conclude that Facebook class groups are important for social affiliation and effective learning.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Educational Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium

    Jaël Muls, Free De Backer, Valérie Thomas, Chang Zhu & Koen Lombaerts

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  1. Jaël Muls
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Muls, J., De Backer, F., Thomas, V. et al. Facebook class groups of high school students: their role in establishing social dynamics and learning experiences. Learning Environ Res 23, 235–250 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10984-019-09298-7

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