Department of Geography

Facebook and the University of Leicester Student Experience

Funded by: TEF (Teaching Enhancement Forum), University of Leicester

Period of grant: 12.2007 to 03.2009

Award personnel: Dr Jane Wellens, Dr Clare Madge, Dr Tristram Hooley,

Objectives and impact:

Currently the University of Leicester network lists almost 10,000 members on Facebook comprising current and past students, and staff. We know little about how this phenomenon impacts on the student experience and, in particular, if and how it facilitates new students’ social integration into university. This project focuses on how pre-registration engagement with the University of Leicester Facebook network influences students’ post-registration social networks and their understanding of the University. It aims to explore whether there is any role for social networking tools to be used by University support services and academic departments to enhance the social and academic integration of students.

The project therefore aims to explore how students use online social networks for support and socialisation at university and explore ways in which it can be used to support their learning. This will be undertaken through three key means:

1. The project will survey first year campus-based and distance learning students (using an online survey) to gather information regarding the ways in which students:

• used Facebook prior to registration at Leicester in order to form new friendships;
• interact with current students and staff through Facebook; and
• see the potential use of online social networking space for learning and teaching activities and support.

2. The project will conduct an online survey of University of Leicester staff Facebook users in order to explore the ways in which they:

• use Facebook to interact with students; and
• see the potential use of online social networking space for student support and learning and teaching activities.

3. The project will recruit participants (from the above) to in-depth focus groups (both face-to-face and virtual) to explore the longevity and nature of the social relationships formed through Facebook. In particular, these focus groups will examine how these online relationships cross-cut existing and newly-formed face-to-face relationships.

If you are a first year student at the University of Leicester, and you wish to complete the survey, please go to the link below:
https://swww2.le.ac.uk/departments/geography/projects/tri-orm/facebook