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Facebook in Anatomy Education: Why and How?
Author(s) -
Jaffar Akram
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.209.1
Subject(s) - popularity , social media , psychology , medical education , process (computing) , mathematics education , computer science , world wide web , medicine , social psychology , operating system
With the rapid development in information technologies various changes have been made in terms of the methods in the teaching and learning process. The popularity of social networking sites (SNSs) provided a newly emerging tool of e‐learning. Facebook is currently the leading SNS on which students spend a considerable time every day; therefore, it is the logical place to start when integrating SNSs into education. A faculty administered Facebook platform was used to supplement anatomy education of medical students for three academic years. A vivid model of this use is provided here. The aim is to establish Facebook penetration among students, justify its educational use, highlight its potentials, validate its capabilities, recognize its limitations, support its effectiveness in contributing to learning, and describe patterns of students' engagement with educational posts. Facebook can deliver more media richness which students expect in their anatomy learning. A wider educational use of Facebook should be adopted not only because students are embracing its use, but for its effectiveness in boosting learning. Facebook is no more a site merely for social activities; it offers the opportunity for the students to be highly engaged with educational content outside the classroom boundaries. Our students are willing and prepared to embrace the new technology. Are we, as their teachers, equally ready?