SKIN CARE SYSTEM

Focus group students mentioned various advantages of using the Facebook private study group for mobile learning. These advantages are categorized into (i) communication, (ii) interaction and collaboration, (iii) access to course materials, (iv) internet search for information, and (v) convenience and ease of use.

6.5.1.1 Communication

Within the Facebook private study group, students admitted that communication was an important factor in their learning. This was because communication occurred when (a) the teacher gave learning instructions to students; (b) students responded to the teacher in class activities; (c) the teacher gave feedback; (d) students discussed certain topics and (e) presentation. Students agreed that the various communications could encourage them to learn using their smartphone. Furthermore, the communication provided by Facebook was instant messaging where students and teachers were notified immediately via their smartphone whenever someone posted a message on the study group. This instant messaging service, as mentioned by students, was far faster than email and the discussion forum of MOODLE. Furthermore, they pointed out that they preferred Facebook instant messages to WhatsApp. This was due to the privacy issue because they didn’t want to disclose their phone number. Another important benefit of communication described by students was direct communication with peers and teachers in case of learning problems. Students said smartphones provided excellent convenience for them so that they could communicate with peers and teachers anywhere, anytime. Furthermore, most teachers had the Facebook mobile application and Facebook instant messenger installed on their smartphones so most teachers could respond to student messages promptly.

Student G [Female, age group 18-21] shared her experience:

“I have Facebook app installed in my smartphone. When someone posts something on the study group, my smartphone will notify me with sound or vibration. I can see from

Facebook private study group who is online so that I can talk to.”

In the case of a group project, students could communicate with their teammates quickly, which, in turn, improved their learning effectiveness.

Student J [Male, age group 18-21] shared his idea:

When I have problems with assignments, I usually interact with classmates and teachers using email and messenger.”

6.5.1.2 Interaction and collaboration

Students mentioned in the focus groups that the Facebook private study group using a smartphone did offer more opportunities for interaction and collaboration while working on group discussions, because each group member could use their smartphone to find relevant and useful information for knowledge sharing and contribution. In addition to group collaboration, students agreed about the benefit of class-wide collaboration where the whole class of students worked together on certain topics like SWOT analysis of SCS or promotion strategies for e-commerce. Students mentioned this kind of knowledge construction activity was very helpful for them to learn, compared to traditional teacher knowledge delivery via PowerPoint presentation.

Student L [Female, age group 22-24] shared:

“Facebook study group does not only change the learning atmosphere in class but also the learning attitude of classmates, including the motivation, engagement and participation.”

6.5.1.3 Access to course materials

Most of the focus group students agreed about the convenience of accessing course materials from the Facebook private study group using their smartphone (as shown in Figure 6). They could either download all learning materials locally or access through

the internet. Furthermore, students pointed out that smartphones were a powerful computing device that had become part of their daily life.

Student B [Male, age group 18-21] shared his usage:

“After using smartphone for class activity, I find that smartphone can help study in different ways. This includes (1) storing course materials for studying, (2) searching Wikipedia for useful information, (3) using Google drive and Google docs for doing assignments, (4) participating in class learning activities over Facebook study group, (5) using camera to take photos of teacher writing on whiteboard and (6) doing audio recording of the lecture.”

6.5.1.4 Search for internet information

Most of the focus group students described their reliance on the internet to search for information via a search engine. Students mentioned that the information available from the internet was far more than a textbook could provide. Furthermore, they agreed that the information available from the internet was up-to-date.

Student K [Female, age group 18-21] had examples:

“I think smartphone is an effective device for learning because I am always carrying it in my pocket and I can quickly access my course materials and search for useful online learning information. Most importantly, the online information is really up-to-date. For instance, my marketing textbook doesn’t tell me what is Omni-channels of promotion, Online-2-Offline, Click-n-Collect E-Commerce business strategies.”

Therefore, they said their learning behavior was inclined towards the internet and their knowledge was mainly coming from the internet. In this respect, students mentioned that searching for information on the internet was very important to their school work

and studies. Fortunately, smartphones did provide internet-ready features and search engine support for their daily studying.

Student J [Male, age group 18-21] shared:

“I can make use of internet resources via my smartphone in learning like Google translate, Wikipedia, Oxford Online Dictionary, etc.”

6.5.1.5 Convenience and ease of use

Students in the focus group interviews described the Facebook private study group for mobile learning as being convenient in two ways. Firstly, they commented that they already have a smartphone with Facebook applications installed. This meant they didn’t need to buy or rent a mobile device for study and they didn’t need to install new applications. Secondly, students said that they didn’t need to learn a new mobile application for the purpose of mobile learning.

Student C [Female, age group 18-21] shared:

“I think it is good because I am using Facebook and smartphone every day and I don’t need to learn how to use the system like MOODLE.”

Student P [Female, age group 22-24] shared:

“Because the posts on the wall of Facebook study group is presented in form of timeline, if I am absent from class, I can simply visit the Facebook study group and see what has happened in class.”