INFLUENCE OF ACADEMIC INTERACTION ON FACEBOOK AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

Facebook was introduced in early 2004 as a social network site just for Harvard University students(Zywica & Danowski, 2008).By 2005 Facebook allowed students from other schools to register as users and eventually everybody(Pempek, Yermolayeva, & Calvert, 2009). Facebook growth has been rapid to the extent that as at 2013, it was estimated to havehad over 22 Million unique strangers with above 15 billion viewed pages(Zywica & Danowski, 2008).

Facebook is one of the world’s most populated social media networks with no less than 400Million users (Pempek, Yermolayeva, & Calvert, 2009). Students and teenagers constitute a majority of the users, with posting of more than 1 Million posts such as pictures, chats and messages on a daily basis(Pempek, Yermolayeva, & Calvert, 2009). Mark Zuckerberg is the founder of this site who said that if Facebook were to be a country, it would have been the eighth most populated country in the world(Pempek, Yermolayeva, & Calvert, 2009). The adoption of Facebook amongst university undergraduates during the mid-2000s was rapid, leading one media researcher to warn university authorities that ‘Facebook owns your campus’ (Stutzman, 2006). Researchers are still investigating the reason why Facebook attracts and keeps the attention it does, especially from among youths/students. It is reported that students use Facebook practically on daily basis(Facebook Statistics, 2011). Students post contents on Facebook and also spend much time observing and consuming the contents posted by their friends(Facebook Statistics, 2011).

As of March 2011, Facebook reported having 67 million active users (those who have returned to the site in the last 30 days), with more than half of them returning daily and spending an average of 20 minutes per day on the website (Facebook Statistics, 2011).Like most social network sites, Facebook provides a formatted web page into which each user can enter personal information, including gender, birthday, hometown, political and religious views, e-mail and physical addresses, relationship status, activities, interests, favourite music and movies, educational background and a main personal picture. After completing their profile, users are prompted to identify others with whom they have a relationship, either by searching for registered users of Facebook or by requesting their contacts to join Facebook (usually by e-mail). Once someone is accepted as a “friend,” not only the two users ‘personal profile but also their entire social networks are disclosed to each other. This allows each user to traverse networks by clicking through “friends” profiles, so that one’s social network snowballs rapidly across people and institutions (Walther, Van Der Heide, Kim, Westerman, & Tong, 2008). Facebook profiles also include two types of messaging services. A private system, which is very similar to a webmail service, and a public system called “The Wall,” where “friends” leave comments to the owner of the profile that can be viewed by other users. Usually, “The Wall” contains short messages that reflect sentiments, common activities between “friends,” or call attention to external websites or events. To keep users updated about their social circles, Facebook has two features: “News Feed”, which appears on the homepage of each user, and “Mini-Feed”, which appears in each individual’s profile. “News Feed” updates a personalized list of news stories throughout the day generated by the activity of “friends”. Thus, each time users log in, they get the latest headlines in their social networks. “Mini-Feed” is similar, except that it is centredon one individual. Each person’s “Mini-Feed” shows what has changed recently in their profile and what content or applications they have added. Because individuals can delete from their own “Mini-Feed” stories they do not like, users retain control of who gets to read or see what about them. Among the most popular modules users can incorporate to their profiles is “Facebook Groups,” which allows users to create and join groups based around common interests and activities. The “Groups” application displays each individual’s groups as well as groups their “friends” have joined recently. Thus, an important share of the civic and political and educational impact of Facebook should occur within groups developed by users and organizations.

The Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna is a specialized institution of learning that focuses on the advancement of the frontiers of knowledge in the areas of science and technology, hence it is only expected that students of FUTMinna get conversant with inventions and contraptions aimed at advancing not only the society but also the University environment. FUTMinna operates two campuses and faces obvious communication challenges amongst students, some of who find the use of telecommunication service too expensive compared to the use of social networks and instant messaging. Hence students of FUTMinna rely on the use of social networks for day to day communication. Using social networks is an integrated component of the lives of many students in FUTMinna.What started out as a hobby for some computer literate people has become a social norm and way of life for people from all over the world.The youth use social networking sites as a means of interaction, socializing, and for purely entertainment purposes(Boyd, 2007). These sites have various effects ontheir life styles especially in their academic performance, self-development and the duration of their studies (Pempek, Yermolayeva, & Calvert, 2009). Several studies examine the attraction and persuasive character of Facebook and similar networking sites as well as the reasons that cause people from all walks of life and age groupsto join this community or similar options (Fogg&Lizawa, 2008). These sites are able to make fundamental modification in social life as well as interpersonal and social relations. Researches done on both University and school students have shown that students use Facebook more for creating relationships and knowing people than using this site for educational purposes(Pempek, Yermolayeva, & Calvert, 2009).The present study investigatesacademic interaction on Facebook among students in Federal University of Technology,Minna.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Social media networking is seemingly taking over the world. One popular social media site is Facebook. University students are one of the primary demographics using Facebook, with features such as photos, wall posts, and status updates becoming seemingly irresistible to those who want to connect with their friends. The University culture loves Facebook, embraces it and has turned the site into a lifestyle, rather than just a hobby or a fun pastime. Academic success is a paramount issue to University students including those of FUTMinna, with the pressure to belong to social networks. Are students really meeting up with the pressure to succeed academically?

In this study, an attempt is made to answer the question:What is the nature of interaction on Facebook among FUTMinna undergraduates?

1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of this study is to determine whether academic interaction takes place on Facebook among undergraduates of FUT Minna.

The objectives of the study are as follows:

1. To evaluate the proportion of FUTMinna undergraduates who use Facebook against those who do not use.
2. To determine the frequency of usage of Facebook among FUTMinna undergraduates
3. To find out the nature of interaction on Facebook among FUTMinna undergraduates
4. To identify whether academic interaction on Facebook takes place among FUTMinna undergraduates.
5. If yes in objective four above, to examine the nature of the academic interaction.

1.4 Research Questions

1. What is the proportion of FUTMinna undergraduates using Facebook against those not using?
2. What is the frequency of usage of Facebook among FUTMinna undergraduates?
3. What is the nature of interaction of FUTMinna undergraduates on Facebook?
4. Is there any form of academic interaction among undergraduates of FUTMinna on Facebook
5. What is the nature of this interaction?

1.5 Justification of the Study

This study investigates the extent of the use of Facebook by FUTMinna undergraduates and determines whether FUTMinna students’ interaction on Facebook is academic in nature or not.The findings of this study, it is hoped, will serve as a great assistance to university management in creating policies as it concerns students’ use of social media. The study will also help parents, guardians and students to better understand the effect of social media use on academics and how best to manage this effect.Also, students and lecturers of Information and Media Technology and other related fields of study will find the outcome of this study as assistance in their research and general study in the field of social media and academics.

1.6 Delimitation to the Study

The research is limited to undergraduates of Federal University of Technology Minna.The ideal situation would have been to study undergraduates in several universities, so as to ensure a country wide generalization. But limited finances and time constraint of the researcher did not guarantee adoption of a wider scope. Thus, the generalization of the findings of this study must be done with caution.

1.7 Operational Definition of Terms

Academic Interaction:

Is defined as Facebook discussions among FUT Minna undergraduates related to current school work, field of study or any academic discourse.

Facebook:

Is defined as a social networking website that allows registered users to create profiles, upload photos and video, send messages and keep in touch with ‘friends’.

Frequency of Facebook Use:

Is defined as how often a FUT Minna undergraduate visits the Facebook website in a week.

Nature of Facebook Interaction:

Is defined as an activity of Facebook FUT Minna undergraduates engage in, E.g. posting pictures, status updates, chatting etc.

Proportion of Facebook use:

Refers to how much of Facebook content FUTMinna undergraduates consume compared to other social network sites.