Researchers at Baylor University found that
Facebook may provide a key to better learning, particularly in larger classes.
They studied 218 students in an introductory sociology course who were given
the choice of being in a course-related Facebook group.
The study, Using Facebook to Engage
Learners in a Larger Introductory Course,
found that the students in the Facebook group did better on quizzes and tests
and wrote stronger papers than those who just listened to lectures. The
students in the Facebook group also reported a more positive overall experience
in the class, according to a report in Campus Technology.
“Although some teachers may worry that
social media distracts students from legitimate learning, we found that our
Facebook group helped transform students from anonymous spectators into a
community of active learners—and this has important consequences for student
performance,” said Kevin Dougherty, associate professor of sociology at Baylor.