My slides for MMVC 2015

1. Using fb group to support postgraduates:
a case study of DSG
Anita Adnan
ICT Consultant Trainer / Online Instructor
Megabase Training & Consultancy
www.anita-adnan.webnode.com

2. www.anita-adnan.webnode.com
• About Me
• About Doctorate Support Group (DSG)
• Facebook in education
• Features in fb closed group
• Current Initiatives
• What’s Next?
• Conclusion
OVERVIEW

3. www.anita-adnan.webnode.com
Who Am I ?
A Mom
A Wife
A researcher
A Consultant &
Trainer
A multitasker
Life is SHORT –
Explore!
Positive Thinking
will bring you a
LONG way!

4. The rationale for creating a support group in facebook
Facebook in education
Allen, M. (2012). An education in Facebook. Digital culture and education, 4(3), 213-225.
Bicen, H., & Cavus, N. (2011). Social network sites usage habits of undergraduate students: Case
study of Facebook. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 28, 943-947.
Kabilan, M. K., Ahmad, N., & Abidin, M. J. Z. (2010). Facebook: An online environment for learning
of English in institutions of higher education?. The Internet and Higher Education, 13(4), 179-187.
Sánchez, R. A., Cortijo, V., & Javed, U. (2014). Students' perceptions of Facebook for academic
purposes. Computers & Education, 70, 138-149.

5. Features in closed Fb group

6. WHY Facebook?
Who is not on Facebook? The majority of students are there
24 /7 availability
User friendly features
Quick updates
Easy sharing of FILES and NOTES and EVENTS
The use of CHAT Box for instant communication
Video Calls in facebook – for discussions
Connecting and Collaborating with people from all around the world
Some Safety issues !
Your online identity ( Personal Vs Professional)
You are exposed to scams or fake people trying to connect with you
Location – never share!
Pictures of family / kids or your belongings – moderate sharing

7. www.anita-adnan.webnode.com
www.facebook.com/group/dsg
WHO
WHAT
WHERE
WHEN
HOW
WHY

8. www.anita-adnan.webnode.com
Our Mission :
To connect and network, share knowledge,
resources and success stories or challenges.
To share best practices, tips, jokes, and discuss
ideas about postgraduate studies.
What is DSG ?
2 admins , 5 Advisors, Online Professors and Various Experts
from multi disciplinary subjects and areas

9. www.anita-adnan.webnode.com
37k members worldwide
Mostly Phd students
Some Masters students
Lecturers, Teachers
Professors
Deans, TNCs
WHO ARE DSG MEMBERS?

10. www.anita-adnan.webnode.com
WHERE
https://www.facebook.com/groups/doctsupp/
our portal : www.dsgportal.org
Webinar Link : http://dsgportal.org/site/webinar/
WHEN
Created in 2007
Original members 100 from UK and Malaysia
2 admins

11. www.anita-adnan.webnode.com
WHY
Provide online support to Thesis Writers
Share resources (e-books and journals)
Most postgraduates can connect online
Feel safe in a closed group
Most members are either moms or dads
with small kids
A venue to share problems and ask
questions
Acts as a Virtual Classroom
Availability 24/7, 365 days

12. Success Stories

13. www.anita-adnan.webnode.com
Current Initiatives
 Putting more resources in our portal
 Creating FREE Webinars with various topics
 Developing PAID Online Courses and Premium
Webinars
 Developing a database for Experts in DSG
 Developing a database for service and content
providers
 related to postgraduates
 Inviting more speakers/trainers/ experts to be
 DSG Advisors
 Writing Journal Articles on DSG

14. WHAT’S NEXT?
 To become the one stop resource center for all
postgraduates matters
 To register as a Research Society
 To develop our portal as an online Virtual Academic
Centre to postgraduates from all around the world
 To collaborate with established universities or
educational institutions and offer accredited online
courses leading to recognized certificates or modules
 Ultimate Aim - DSG Virtual University

15. Facebook is a really useful tool for education
Managing a huge group takes some time, but it’s worth it
Line between personal and professional lives become
blurry
Although there are some safety and privacy issues when
you mix personal lives and professional or academic lives –
you can always control what you share.
Education should become accessible anywhere, anytime
CONCLUSION

16. www.anita-adnan.webnode.com
www.faceboook.com/nitazul
Twitter @anitaadnan
Email anita.adnan@yahoo.co.uk
Contact Me :