1.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram Jaffar
acebook
Akram Jaffar
in Anatomy Education
WHY?
HOW?

2.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram JaffarDr. Akram Jaffar
IT Revolution and Education Evolution
With the rapid
development in
information and
communication
technologies
various changes
have been made in
terms of the
methods in the
teaching and
learning process.

3.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram JaffarDr. Akram Jaffar
The “Net Generation”
—Illustration by Roy Wieman
Social networking sites
have attracted a huge
following amongst
university students and
became an integral
part of their daily lives.
Thus, it can be
assumed that they
have a potential to
improve learning.

4.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram JaffarDr. Akram Jaffar
Mobile technology
The widespread
use of intelligent
mobile handheld
devices
increased the
popularity of
SNSs and
provided a
newly emerging
tool of
multimedia
learning.

5.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram JaffarDr. Akram Jaffar
Aim
• Provide a vivid model of Facebook
use in anatomy education.
• Justify its educational use.
• Support its effectiveness in
contributing to learning.
• Highlight its potentials and
recognize its limitations

6.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram JaffarDr. Akram Jaffar
Human Anatomy Education Facebook
Page
A faculty administered Facebook Page was introduced into
anatomy teaching resources of medical students at the
University of Sharjah (UoS) in the United Arab Emirates
for three academic years

7.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram JaffarDr. Akram Jaffar
Why Facebook?

8.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram JaffarDr. Akram Jaffar
Leading Social Networks Worldwide:
Monthly Active Users
0.0
0.3
0.6
0.9
1.2
1.5
Billion
March 2015

9.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram Jaffar
86%
52%
46%
19%
14%
6%
71%
92%
62%
53%
40%
11%
3%
78%
99%
74%
68%
63%
12%
0%
94%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Facebook YouTube Twitter Google+ LinkedIn No account >1 account
2012 2013 2014
Presence of University of Sharjah (UoS)
Students on Social Networking Sites

10.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram JaffarDr. Akram Jaffar
Devices Used by UoS Students to
Access Facebook
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Laptop Smart phone Tablet Desktop
2012 2013 2014
UoS: University of Sharjah

11.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram Jaffar
How UoS Students Use Facebook in
Education
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Follow pages with educational
themes
Participate in
medical/educational group
discussions
Contribute by posts
UoS: University of Sharjah

12.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram JaffarDr. Akram Jaffar
Why Facebook?
• Of all social media, most
medical students use
Facebook and spend a
considerable time on it
every day.
• Therefore, Facebook is
the logical place to start
when integrating SNSs
into teaching and
learning.

13.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram JaffarDr. Akram Jaffar
How to use Facebook?
• Although beyond the traditional classroom and formal
learning management systems, a faculty can still
administer Facebook platforms in a professional way to
achieve learning outcomes.

14.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram JaffarDr. Akram Jaffar
Human Anatomy Education Page
Post categories
• Self-assessment questions
• Links to online resources (videos, websites, and
books)
• Explanatory comments
• Arts and history in relation to anatomical
sciences
• Documentation of in-class anatomy-related
activities
• Anatomy-related humor

15.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram JaffarDr. Akram Jaffar
UoS Student Preferences
Post categories
• Self-assessment questions
• Links to online resources (videos, websites, and
books)
• Explanatory comments
• Arts and history in relation to anatomical
sciences
• Documentation of in-class anatomy-related
activities
• Anatomy-related humor
Concern about formal aspects of learning without
giving up the social interactions
UoS: University of Sharjah

16.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram JaffarDr. Akram Jaffar
General Audience Preferences
Post categories
• Self-assessment questions
• Links to online resources (videos, websites, and
books)
• Explanatory comments
• Arts and history in relation to anatomical
sciences
• Documentation of in-class anatomy-related
activities
• Anatomy-related humor

17.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram JaffarDr. Akram Jaffar
Integrative and Collaborative Services

18.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram JaffarDr. Akram Jaffar
Personal vs Public
It is recommended that
• The instructor provides the
opportunity and let students
choose freely.
• Facebook should not constitute a
mainstream for education but a
support for classroom teaching
and to add some social,
historical and artistic blends to
education in order to improve
students’ collaboration and
enthusiasm.
Originally social/personal nature
Poke Message Friend request
Birthday Event Comment
Photo Status Location

19.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram JaffarDr. Akram Jaffar
Facebook Account Capabilities and
Limitations
• From the student’s point of view, there is no clear
preference for a Facebook Group over a Page.
• Running a faculty-administered Group or Page
entails recognizing your goals and understanding
the capabilities and limitations of the options
offered by each.
PAGE
GROUP

20.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram Jaffar
Page Group
Relationship Long term Short term
Communication Broad Small group
discussions
Insights tool Available Not available
Document upload Only links can be
provided
Yes
Search option Not available Available
Identity Not necessarily
disclosed
Disclosed
Facebook Page vs Facebook Group in
an Educational Context

21.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram JaffarDr. Akram Jaffar
Page Group
Relationship Long term Short term
Communication Broad Small group
discussions
Insights tool Available Not available
(limited metrics)
Document upload Only links can be
provided
Yes
Search option Not available Available
Identity Not necessarily
disclosed
Disclosed
Facebook Page vs Facebook Group in
an Educational Context

22.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram JaffarDr. Akram Jaffar
Insights: Page Statistics

23.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram JaffarDr. Akram Jaffar
Insights: Post Statistics

24.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram JaffarDr. Akram Jaffar
Insights: Demography

25.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram JaffarDr. Akram Jaffar
Page Group
Relationship Long term Short term
Communication Broad Small group
discussions
Insights tool Available Not available
Document upload Only links can be
provided (Use alternative
cloud applications)
Yes
Search option Not available Available
Identity Not necessarily
disclosed
Disclosed
Facebook Page vs Facebook Group in
an Educational Context

26.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram JaffarDr. Akram Jaffar
Page Group
Relationship Long term Short term
Communication Broad Small group
discussions
Insights tool Available Not available
Document upload Only links can be
provided
Yes
Search option Not available Available
Identity Not necessarily
disclosed
Disclosed
Facebook Page vs Facebook Group in
an Educational Context

27.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram Jaffar
Facebook Page vs Facebook Group in
an Educational Context
Page Group
Relationship Long term Short term
Communication Broad Small group
discussions
Insights tool Available Not available
Document upload Only links can be
provided
Yes
Search option Not available Available
Identity Not necessarily
disclosed
Disclosed

28.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram JaffarDr. Akram Jaffar
Pros and Cons of Facebook in higher
education

29.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram JaffarDr. Akram Jaffar
Facebook Page is Appropriate to
Supplement Traditional Anatomy Education
University of Sharjah Students’ opinion
0%20%40%60%80%100%
Make anatomy learning more
interesting and challenging
Improve exam self-
confidence
Increase understanding
Widen knowledge in general
issues in relation to anatomy
Communicate with tutor on
academic matters
Discuss with colleagues on
issues posted on the Page

30.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram JaffarDr. Akram Jaffar
Motivation, Collaboration, Lifelong
Learning, media richness

31.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram JaffarDr. Akram Jaffar
Distraction or a Learning Tool?

32.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram Jaffar
Facebook Engagement is NOT Detrimental
to Academic Performance
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Like Comment Discussion
Contribution to engagement types among high and low
achiever students at University of Sharjah
Low Achievers
High Achievers

33.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram JaffarDr. Akram Jaffar
Privacy Concerns
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
I feel safe to express my opinion freely
on a public Facebook page…
I am aware of privacy settings on
Facebook that limit access to personal…
I would like tutors to interact with and
contact me via Facebook for formal…
The benefit of Facebook as a learning
environment exceeds the harm
Facebook is a suitable learning
environment at university level
Poke Message Friend requestBirthday Event Comment
University of Sharjah Students’ opinion

34.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram JaffarDr. Akram Jaffar
Privacy Concerns
• Educate students about the main principles of ethics and etiquette on SNSs.

35.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram JaffarDr. Akram Jaffar
Privacy Concerns of “Digital immigrants”
• With a good control of
privacy options you may
accept friend requests
from students.
• Faculty self-disclosure
through Facebook has a
positive impact on
student motivation,
classroom climate, and
course outcomes.
• Provide a model of the
responsible use of
Facebook technology.

36.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram JaffarDr. Akram Jaffar
Take home messages
• Facebook is no more a site
merely for social activities.
Anatomy
• Facebook positively impact anatomy learning.
• Instructors are required to bring this familiar environment to
the classroom.
• Facebook should not constitute a mainstream for education but
a support for classroom teaching

37.
Dr.AkramJaffar
Dr. Akram JaffarDr. Akram Jaffar
Our students are willing and
prepared to embrace new
technologies. Are we, as their
teachers, equally ready?
Thank
You