Philippine E-Journals

The Use of Facebook as an Alternative Learning Platform: Perspectives from Transactional Distance Theory

Rex A. Lim

Discipline: Education

 

Abstract:

Learning must take place anytime and anywhere, whether through online or offline mode. Hence, this paper explores the perception of the students in the use of Facebook as a learning platform in a Practical Research class in the light of transactional distance theory. A qualitative research design following netnographic procedures and a self-administered questionnaire of open-ended questions was conducted. Insights on the narrative of the students revealed that the use of Facebook as a learning platform promotes learning, instruction, and students’ interaction which is evident in the exchanges of conversation in the comment section of Facebook posts. Facebook as a learning platform, provides an avenue for teachers for instruction and feedback purposes. Nevertheless, the findings also revealed that there were students who found the use of Facebook as being problematic. Hence, caution of its use must be exercised. Academic integrity must be upheld to its highest standards regardless of the learning modalities. The researcher suggests that turning and maximizing the use of social media to academic use in distance or remote education is a good learning practice making sure that pedagogic interventions are in place along the way.