Using Facebook Groups to Encourage Science Discussions in a Large-Enrollment Biology Class.

This case study reports the instructional development, impact, and lessons learned regarding the use of Facebook as an educational tool within a large enrollment Biology class at Spelman College (Atlanta, GA). We describe the use of this social networking site to (a) engage students in active scientific discussions, (b) build community within the student body in class, and (c) promote communication between students and instructors. To achieve this, we created a Facebook Group page that students were required to join and use to complete the main assignment of this class, which was to read, discuss, and write about a science news article in the popular media. Overall, we find that Facebook, due to its popularity with students and its informal nature, is very effective in engaging them.