Facebook as a tool for communication with under graduate taxation students

Abstract

The use of Facebook is increasing rapidly and its pedagogical uses are endless. University students are part of a new generation, working with ease and confidence in this social environment. This article explores the use of Facebook as an additional communication tool in an undergraduate taxation module presented at the University of Pretoria and evaluates students’ perceptions of the effectiveness of such a tool. A Facebook group was created to enhance interaction between students and lecturers and students and their peers. Participation was voluntary, and the students completed a survey at the end of the semester to evaluate their experience in the group. The results of the study show that, although the use of a Facebook group as a communication tool cannot replace the formal learning management system of the university, respondents’ perception of the use of the tool was that Facebook could be used as an additional academic communication tool in all of their subjects. It is the lecturers’ responsibility to learn how to use this tool and incorporate it effectively into their teaching strategies. Copyright 2012, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. Please cite as follows: Hill, T 2012, Facebook as a tool for communication with under graduate taxation students, MCom dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd < http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-03092012-111246 / > F12/4/166/gm