Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

A review of research on Facebook as an educational environment

  • International Review
  • Published:
Educational Technology Research and Development Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to present a review of Facebook as an educational environment, as research on its use within education is relatively new. The study is categorized into six sections: Facebook users; reasons people use Facebook; harmful effects of Facebook; Facebook as an educational environment; Facebook’s effects on culture, language, and education; and the relationship between Facebook and subject variables. Additionally, the study compares Facebook usage in Turkey to its use on a global scale. To conclude, there has been a serious lack of research on Facebook’s use as an educational resource, as current literature reflects how Facebook might more readily be utilized as an educational environment. Finally, the study ends with practical recommendations for researchers and educators.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Barnett, C. (2009). Towards a methodology of postmodern assemblage: Adolescent identity in the age of social networking. Philosophical Studies in Education, 40, 200–210.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, C. (2010). Cast a wider net for reunion. Currents, 36(7), 28–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berg, J., Berquam, L., & Christoph, K. (2007). Social networking technologies: A “poke” for campus services. EDUCAUSE Review, 42(2), 32–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Birky, I., & Collins, W. (2011). Facebook: Maintaining ethical practice in the cyberspace age. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy, 25(3), 193–203.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blankenship, M. (2011). How social media can and should impact higher education. Education Digest: Essential Readings Condensed for Quick Review, 76(7), 39–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boon, S., & Sinclair, C. (2009). A world I don’t inhabit: Disquiet and identity in second life and Facebook. Educational Media International, 46(2), 99–110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bowers-Campbell, J. (2008). Cyber pokes: Motivational antidote for developmental college readers. Journal of College Reading and Learning, 39(1), 74–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, J. D., Keller, S., & Stern, S. (2009). Sex, sexuality, sexting, and sexed: Adolescents and the media. Prevention Researcher, 16(4), 12–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bugeja, M. J. (2006). Facing the Facebook. Chronicle of Higher Education, 52(21), 1–4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Butler, K. (2010). Tweeting your own horn. District Administration, 46(2), 41–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carrington, V., & Hodgetts, K. (2010). Literacy-Lite in “BarbieGirls”[TM]. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 31(6), 671–682.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Catanzaro, M. F. (2011). Indirect aggression, bullying and female teen victimization: A literature review. Pastoral Care in Education, 29(2), 83–101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Charlton, T., Devlin, M., & Drummond, S. (2009). Using “Facebook” to improve communication in undergraduate software development teams. Computer Science Education, 19(4), 273–292.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Charnigo, L., & Barnett-Ellis, P. (2007). Checking out Facebook.com: The impact of a digital trend on academic libraries. Information Technology and Libraries, 26, 23–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cho, S. E. (2010). A cross-cultural comparison of Korean and American social network sites: Exploring cultural differences in social relationships and self-presentation (Ph.D. Dissertation, the State University of New Jersey–New Brunswick).

  • Christie, E., & Bloustien, G. (2010). Cyborg: Disability, affect and public pedagogy. Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, 31(4), 483–498.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clausen, J. A. (1968). Socialization and society. Boston: Little Brown and Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Couros, A. (2008). Safety and social networking: How can we maximize the learning power of participatory web sites while ensuring students are protected and behave responsibly? Technology and Learning, 28(7), 20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, L. J. (2010). Social networking sites as virtual communities of practice: A mixed method study (Ph.D. Dissertation, Capella University, Minneapolis, MN).

  • Decarie, C. (2010). Facebook: Challenges and opportunities for business communication students. Business Communication Quarterly, 73(4), 449–452.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Denny, H. (2010). Introduction to multiliteracies, social futures, and writing centers. Writing Center Journal, 30(1), 84–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • DePew, K. E. (2011). Social media at academia’s periphery: Studying multilingual developmental writers’ Facebook composing strategies. Reading Matrix: An International Online Journal, 11(1), 54–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Downes, S. (2007). Places to go: Facebook. Innovate: Journal of Online Education, 4(1), 1–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dreher, C., Reiners, T., & Dreher, N. H. (2009). Virtual worlds as a context suited for information systems education: Discussion of pedagogical experience and curriculum design with reference to second life. Journal of Information Systems Education, 20(2), 211–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Drouin, M. A. (2011). College students’ text messaging, use of textese and literacy skills. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 27(1), 67–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Durkee, D., Brant, S., Nevin, P., Odell, A., Williams, G., Melomey, D., et al. (2009). Implementing e-learning and web 2.0 innovation: Didactical scenarios and practical implication. Industry and Higher Education, 23(4), 293–300.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eberhardt, D. M. (2007). Facing up to Facebook. About Campus, 12(4), 18–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellison, N. B., Steinfield, C., & Lampe, C. (2007). The benefits of Facebook “friends”: Social capital and college students’ use of online social network sites. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 12(4), 1143–1168.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ergenc, A. (2010). Web 2.0 and cyber socialization: The Facebook sample. Unpublished MA thesis, Maltepe University, Istanbul, Turkey.

  • Ferguson, C. P. (2010). Online social networking goes to college: Two case studies of higher education institutions that implemented college-created social networking sites for recruiting undergraduate students (Ed.D. Dissertation, University of Pennsylvania).

  • Foulger, T. S., Adam, P., Ewbank, A. D., Kay, A., Popp, S. O., & Carter, H. L. (2009). Moral spaces in MySpace: Preservice teachers’ perspectives about ethical issues in social networking. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 42(1), 1–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freishtat, R. L., & Sandlin, J. A. (2010). Shaping youth discourse about technology: Technological colonization, manifest destiny, and the frontier myth in Facebook’s public pedagogy. Educational Studies: Journal of the American Educational Studies Association, 46(5), 503–523.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gallant, D. T. (2011). Protecting personal information on social networking sites. School Business Affairs, 77(1), 13–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ganis, F. (2009). “Social learning” buzz masks deeper dimensions: Mitigating confusion surrounding social learning. ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED507069.

  • Greenhow, C. (2009). Tapping the wealth of social networks for professional development. Learning and Leading with Technology, 36(8), 10–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Halligan, T. (2010). The social media evaluation: Online tools drive opportunities for alumni outreach, fundraising. Community College Journal, 80(4), 30–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamilton, B. (2009). Young adult literature 2.0, Library Media Connection, 28(3), 14–15.

  • Hannon, C. (2008). Paper based computing. EDUCAUSE Quarterly, 31(4), 15–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanson, T. L., Drumheller, K., Mallard, J. K., McKee, C., & Schlegel, P. (2011). Cell phones, text messaging, and Facebook: Competing time demands of today’s college students. College Teaching, 59(1), 23–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heiberger, G., & Harper, R. (2008). Have you facebooked Astin lately? Using technology to increase student involvement. New Directions for Student Services, 124, 19–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holladay, J. (2010). Cyberbullying. Teaching Tolerance, 38, 42–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoover, E. (2008). Colleges face tough sell to freshmen, survey find. Chronicle of Higher Education, 54(21), 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hourigan, T., & Murray, L. (2010). Using blogs to help language students to develop reflective learning strategies towards a pedagogical framework. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 26(2), 209–225.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang, J. J. S., Yang, S. J. H., Huang, Y. M., & Hsiao, I. Y. T. (2010). Social learning networks: Build mobile learning networks based on collaborative services. Educational Technology and Society, 13(3), 78–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Isbulan, O. (2011). Opinions of university graduates about social networks according to their personal characteristics. Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology, 10(2), 184–189.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, D. (2010). Taming the chaos. Learning and Leading with Technology, 38(3), 20–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Junco, R., & Cole-Avent, G. A. (2008). An introduction to technologies commonly used. New Directions for Student Services, 124, 3–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kabilan, M. K., Ahmad, N., & Abidin, M. J. Z. (2010). Facebook: An online environment for learning of English in institutions of higher education? Internet and Higher Education, 13(4), 179–187.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karl, K. A., & Peluchette, J. V. (2011). “Friending” professors, parents and bosses: A Facebook connection conundrum. Journal of Education for Business, 86(4), 214–222.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kathleen, B. (2009). Writing by any other name. Principal Leadership, 10(1), 26–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kitsis, S. M. (2008). The Facebook generation: Homework as social networking. English Journal, 98(2), 30–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kolek, E. A., & Saunders, D. (2008). Online disclosure: An empirical examination of undergraduate Facebook profiles. NASPA Journal, 45(1), 1–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kramer-Duffield, J. (2010). Beliefs and uses of tagging among undergraduates (Ph.D. Dissertation, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill).

  • La Roche, C. R., La Flanigan, M. A., & Roche, S. C. R. (2009). Facebook: Perils, perceptions and precautions. Journal of College Teaching and Learning, 6(5), 31–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, L., & Pitts, J. P. (2009). Does it really matter? Using virtual office hours to enhance student-faculty interaction. Journal of Information Systems Education, 20(2), 175–185.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lipka, S. (2007). For professors, “friending” can be fraught. Chronicle of Higher Education, 54(15), A1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lumby, B. (2010). Cyber-indigeneity: Urban Indigenous identity on Facebook. Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, 39, 68–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Madge, C., Meek, J., Wellens, J., & Hooley, T. (2009). “Facebook”, Social integration and informal learning at university: It is more for socialising and talking to friends about work than for actually doing work. Learning, Media and Technology, 34(2), 141–155.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maguth, B., Yamaguchi, M., & Elliott, J. (2010). Researching, producing, presenting: Use of technology for global advocacy in the social studies. Social Education, 74(2), 105–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manzo, K. K. (2009). Filtering fixes. Education Week, 29(2), 23–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathews, B. S. (2006). Do you Facebook? Networking with students online. College and Research Libraries News, 37, 306–307.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mazer, J. P., Murphy, R. E., & Simonds, C. J. (2007). “I’ll see you on Facebook”: The effects of computer teacher self-disclosure on student motivation, affective learning, and classroom climate. Communication Education, 56(1), 1–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mazer, J. P., Murphy, R. E., & Simonds, C. J. (2009). The effects of teacher self-disclosure via “Facebook” on teacher credibility. Learning, Media and Technology, 34(2), 175–183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mazman, S. G., & Usluel, Y. K. (2010). Modeling educational usage of Facebook. Computers and Education, 55(2), 444–453.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mazman, S. H., & Usluel, Y. K. (2011). Gender differences in using social networks. Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology, 10(2), 133–139.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy, J. (2010). Blended learning environments: Using social networking sites to enhance the first year experience. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 26(6), 729–740.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mills, N. (2011). Situated learning through social networking communities: The Development of joint enterprise, mutual engagement, and a shared repertoire. CALICO Journal, 28(2), 345–368.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris, J., Reese, J., Beck, R., & Mattis, C. (2010). Facebook usage as a predictor of retention at a private 4-year institution. Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory and Practice, 11(3), 311–322.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neibling, J. (2010). Speaking the language of today’s digital natives. Community College Journal, 81(1), 14–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Hanlon, C. (2007). If you can’t beat ‘em join ‘em. T.H.E. Journal, 34(8), 39–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olson, J., Clough, M., & Penning, K. (2009). Prospective elementary teachers gone wild? An analysis of Facebook self-portrayals and expected dispositions of preservice elementary teachers. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education, 9(4), 443–475.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palmer, T. (2010). Smooth mailing. Currents, 36(2), 42–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pascopella, A., & Richardson, W. (2009). The new writing pedagogy. District Administration, 45(10), 44–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peluchette, J., & Karl, K. (2010). Examining students’ intended image of Facebook: “What were they thinking?”. Journal of Education for Business, 85(1), 30–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pempek, T. A., Yermolayeva, Y. A., & Calvert, S. L. (2009). College students’ social networking experiences. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 30(3), 227–238.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Protalinski, E. (2012). Facebook has over 845 million users. ZDNet. Retrieved March 22, 2012 from http://www.zdnet.com/blog/facebook/facebook-has-over-845-million-users/8332.

  • Quan-Haase, A., & Young, A. L. (2010). Uses and gratifications of social media: A comparison of Facebook and instant messaging. Bulletin of Science, Technology and Society, 30(5), 350–361.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramirez, A., Hine, M., Ji, S., Ulbrich, F., & Riordan, R. (2009). Learning to succeed in a flat world: Information and communication technologies for a new generation of business students. Learning Inquiry, 3(3), 157–175.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Read, B. (2006). Think before you share. Chronicle of Higher Education, 52(20), 38–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reich, S. M. (2010). Adolescents’ sense of community on MySpace and Facebook: A mixed-methods approach. Journal of Community Psychology, 38(6), 688–705.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rhoades, E. B., Irani, T., Telg, R., & Myers, B. E. (2008). Internet as information source: Attitudes and usage of students enrolled in a college of agriculture course. Journal of Agricultural Education, 49(2), 108–117.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robelia, B. A., Greenhow, C., & Burton, L. (2011). Environmental learning in online social networks: Adopting environmentally responsible behaviors. Environmental Education Research, 17(4), 553–575.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roblyer, M. D., McDaniel, M., Webb, M., Herman, J., & Witty, J. V. (2010). Findings on Facebook in higher education: A comparison of college faculty and student uses and perceptions of social networking sites. Internet and Higher Education, 13(3), 134–140.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Romano, T. (2009). Defining fun and seeking flow in English language arts. English Journal, 98(6), 30–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, S. H., Magro, M. J., & Sharp, J. K. (2011). Exploring educational and cultural adaptation through social networking sites. Journal of Information Technology Education, 10, 1–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sander, L. (2008). New web-monitoring service worries some legal experts. Chronicle of Higher Education, 54(20), 21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schaffhauser, D. (2009). Boundless opportunity. T.H.E. Journal, 36(9), 13–18.

  • Schroeder, J., & Greenbowe, T. J. (2009). The chemistry of Facebook: Using social networking to create an online community for the organic chemistry. Innovate: Journal of Online Education, 5(4), 1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scully, M. K. (2009). Into the mainstream. Currents, 35(1), 16–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Selwyn, M. (2009). Faceworking: Exploring students’ education-related use of Facebook. Learning, Media and Technology, 34(2), 157–174.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shelton, K. (2009). Using Facebook following tragedies: A lesson for community colleges. Community and Junior College Libraries, 15(4), 195–203.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shin, R. (2010). Taking digital creativity to the art classroom: Mystery box swap. Art Education, 63(2), 38–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siegle, D. (2010). Cyberbullying and sexting: Technology abuses of 21st century. Gifted Child Today, 33(2), 14–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siegle, D. (2011). Facing Facebook: A guide for nonteens. Gifted Child Today, 34(2), 14–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Skerrett, A. (2010). Lolita, Facebook and the third space of literacy teacher education. Educational Studies: Journal of the American Educational Studies Association, 46(1), 67–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steinfield, C., Ellison, N. B., & Lampe, C. (2008). Social capital, self-esteem, and use of online social network sites: A longitudinal analysis. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 29(6), 434–445.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, P. (2009). Facebook and virtual literature circle partnership in building a community of readers. Knowledge Quest, 37(4), 28–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sturgeon, C. M., & Walker, C. (2009). Faculty on Facebook: Confirm or deny? Paper presented at the Annual Instructional Technology Conference, Murfreesboro, TN.

  • Subrahmanyam, K., Reich, S. M., Waechter, N., & Espinoza, G. (2008). Online and offline social networks: Useful social networking sites emerging adults. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 29(6), 420–433.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taranto, G., & Abbondanza, M. (2009). Powering students up. Principal Leadership, 10(4), 38–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teclehaimanot, B., & Hickman, T. (2011). Student-teacher interaction on Facebook: What students find appropriate. TechTrends: Linking Research and Practice to Improve Learning, 55(3), 19–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, H. (2010). Learning spaces, learning environments and the “displacement” of learning. British Journal of Educational Technology, 41(3), 502–511.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tucciarone, K. M. (2009). Speaking the same language: Information college seekers look for on a college web site. College and University, 84(4), 22–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tufekci, Z. (2008). Can you see me now? Audience and disclosure regulation in online social network sites. Bulletin of Science, Technology and Society, 28(1), 20–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Villano, M. (2007). Social revolution. Campus Technology, 20(5), 40–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Villano, M. (2008). Text unto others…as you would have them text unto you. T.H.E. Journal, 35(9), 47–51.

  • Violino, B. (2009). The buzz on campus: Social networking takes hold. Community College Journal, 79(6), 28–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, A. (2010, September–October). Using social networks and ICTs to enhance literature circles: A practical approach. Paper presented at the School Library Association of Queensland and the International Association of School Librarianship Conference, Brisbane, Australia.

  • Walker, C. M., Sockman, B. R., & Koehn, S. (2011). An exploratory study of cyberbullying with undergraduate university students. TechTrends: Linking research and practice to improve learning, 55(2), 31–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walther, J. B., Van Der Heide, B., Kim, S. Y., & Tong, S. T. (2008). The role of friends’ appearance and behavior on evaluations of individuals on Facebook: Are we known by the company we keep? Human Communication Research, 34(1), 28–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waters, J. K. (2009). E-portfolios come of age. T.H.E. Journal, 36(10), 23–29.

  • Watson, S. W., Smith, Z., & Driver, J. (2006). Alcohol, sex and illegal activities: An analysis of selected Facebook central photos in fifty states. ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED493049.

  • West, A., Lewis, J., & Currie, P. (2009). Students’ Facebook “friends”: Public and private spheres. Journal of Youth Studies, 12(6), 615–627.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wihbey, J. A. (2010). College student social networking: Its importance and its issues. Visions, 6(1), 20–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, Y. (2010). What children should know about technology and the virtual world? Principal, 89(3), 14–17.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The author wishes to thank the journal editors and reviewers who helped to improve the paper.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Selami Aydin.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Aydin, S. A review of research on Facebook as an educational environment. Education Tech Research Dev 60, 1093–1106 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-012-9260-7

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-012-9260-7

Keywords

Navigation