Using Facebook to enhance student engagement at a university music department. A closed Facebook group was set up for students and staff which 84% of students joined. The group helped students settle into university life and built a sense of community. It allowed for cross-year communication and sharing of musical examples and inspirational content. Engagement increased as Facebook made it easier to stay informed and connect with students than through email alone.

1. Using Facebook to enhance student
engagement
Set up a closed group for the BCM
students at SIT
+staff
+graduates
84% of students joined
Madge, Meek, Wellens & Hooley
(2009)
Facebook part of the “social
glue” that helped students
settle into University life

3. Tutors: engagement
Beneficial for cross year
communication, building a
sense of community and
culture.
Definitely a greater
level of engagement,
it does seem to have
brought them
together
It makes it easier to stay
informed about
happenings in the music
department.
Sharing wider musical
examples, anything
interesting from a cultural or
educational perspective.
Useful for
inspiration – posting
inspirational videos,
planting wee seeds.
Way more chance of
getting hold of them
than through email.