SOCIAL NETWORKING WEBSITE ANALYSES: USABLE AND INSTRUCTIONAL FACEBOOK
Dr. Hasan Tınmaz
İstanbul Gelisim University
Dr. Kursat Cagiltay
Middle East Technical University
Abstract
This study focuses on fulfilling a gap in the research methods and instruments regarding
social networking websites’ usability issues and alternative use for education.
With the extended potential of interaction, the intense multi-purposeful tools and
the huge number of members, Facebook has a potential for being utilized for instruction.
The researchers created two quantitative instruments from the literature and applied
strategies for reliability and validity processes. The simple convenience sampling
method was administered in order to have a large sample size to increase the probability
of representing the population. Firstly, the participants (n=289) perceived Facebook
as a routine, usable, safe and a social tool. Facebook is the leading example of
social networking websites. The participants are satisfied with its usability, especially
its search capability and its embedded content. On the other hand, the participants
seem to question its speed and level of interactivity. Although Facebook offers
many usage alternatives to its users, the participants focus on its social relationship
establishment features. The participants use Facebook for keeping in touch with
other people and sharing much information. Flirting and playing games were not listed
as the reasons for using Facebook for this group of participants. Additionally,
the participants were not in favor of presenting information where other users might
reach them directly. Secondly, the study showed that participants (n=239) are not
sure about possible effects of using Facebook for education. It might be a reason
that the participants have not experienced or witnessed such kind of learning activities
on Facebook.
Keywords
Social networking web sites, Uses and gratification theory, Instructional use of
social networking, Facebook.
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