Using Facebook as a Supplementary Communication Channel for Active Learning

Active Learning as CDIO Standard No. 8 is all about engaging students in discussion, argumentation, interaction, and eventually, the creation of new ideas and concepts. Through Active Learning, students will not only learn more about the materials at hand, but also manage to figure out how they should structure their learning and what they should focus on to enhance their personal skills and knowledge. A key element to successful Active Learning, however, is the interaction channel between students, instructors and other stakeholders, who are involved in the teaching and learning process. While online communication channels are increasingly promoted at many universities and colleges so as to enhance Active Learning, the effectiveness of those channels, specifically for Active Learning, are usually left unmeasured or ignored in most studies. This paper, as a result, will attempt to measure the pros and cons of using one specific channel of Facebook for CDIO study groups. Specifically, Facebook sites have been set up for CDIO coursework at Duy Tan University with the purpose of: (1) Fostering neat and timely communication and interactions between CDIO team members, (2) Facilitating various brainstorming and design-thinking tactics for new idea development, (3) Collecting and comparing data on students’ postings and participation so as to propose an appropriate approach in the use of Facebook for CDIO teamwork, (4) Developing a data pool from Facebook interactions about different Active Learning tactics to be adopted effectively in specific CDIO-based courses. Measurements and comparisons between teams which used Facebook and teams that did not will be carried out to compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of our new Facebook approach as opposed to the use of other communication channels. This study is supposed to be of interest to schools which are looking for ways to smoothen and fasten their Active Learning approach in their CDIO adoption.

Proceedings of the 12th International CDIO Conference, Turku, Finland, June 12-16 2016