‘Putting a "face" to the subject in a way’:

Using Facebook for induction and pre-induction

Executive summary
Use of Facebook for pre-induction activity was appreciated by students and has a positive effect in
three main areas:

1. students’ preparedness for induction week and lower levels of anxiety about joining the
University;
2. social integration/making new friends;
3. students’ perception of the course and of Kingston University.

What was not surprising was that:

1. the majority of Kingston University students surveyed were already Facebook users prior to
joining the group;

2. nearly half the students surveyed used mobile devices – e.g. internet-enabled phones,
portable gaming devices and media players - to access Facebook.

However, what was surprising was that:

1. students desired the involvement of academic tutors in the Facebook group;

2. Facebook was used to establish new contacts and not to just to continue and extend existing
relationships;

3. most students read content rather than contributed to it, countering the myth of a
‘generation C’ of technology users comfortable with uploading and sharing content;

4. students used the group flexibly to create communities within communities and for their
own purposes beyond the initial pre-induction and induction period.

Other lessons learned include:

1. the need for academic staff involvement;

2. academic staff development around use of social networking sites and key issues (e.g.
privacy, IPR).

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Questionnaire responses
________________________________________________________________________________

1. Were you a Facebook user before joining

our Media and Cultural Studies at Kingston
University Facebook group?

Yes 95.3% (n=82)

No 4.7% (n=4)

(Total who answered this question: 86 )

________________________________________________________________________________

2. Did you use a mobile device - e.g. an

internet-enable mobile phone - to access
Facebook?

Yes 47.7% (n=41)

No 52.3% (n=45)

(Total who answered this question: 86 )

The internet-enabled devices specified were:

 BlackBerry (n=10)
 Apple iPhone (n=8)
 Nokia smart phones (n=3)
 HTC Google phone (n=1)
 Sony PSP portable gaming device (n=3)
 Apple iPod Touch media player (n=2)
 unspecified mobile phones (n=8)

________________________________________________________________________________

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 3. Have you added any more Facebook friends
from Kingston University as a result of
joining the group?

Yes 57.0% (n=49)

No 43.0% (n=37)

(Total who answered this question: 86 )

________________________________________________________________________________

4. When you accessed the Facebook group

what did you do?

read the content 88.0% (n=73)

read new students' posts 67.5% (n=56)
post to the wall or DB 24.1% (n=20)
email KU staff 15.7% (n=13)
email KU student helper 4.8% (n=4)
other 3.6% (n=3)

(Total who answered this question: 83 )

The 3 additional comments under ‘other’ were:

 Got familiar with other students in the course and build relationships, contacts
 able to have a casual relationship with lecturers ...
 looked at the other members profiles
________________________________________________________________________________

5. What, in your experience, were the benefits of joining this Facebook group?

 Updated regularly.
 Answer FAQ's. Get induction info. eg, textbooks
 Find out about the course and up to date information about timetables and lectures.
 To answer questions I had about the course
 Knowledge
 Reading others questions
 meeting fellow students
 Easy access and easy to find to get the relevant information
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 Just gave a heads up that I am not alone and there is a support network already implicated
 Help with induction timetable + module content before I could access studyspace
 Reading that other people had the same concerns as I did before starting
 You got to talk to other students doing the course. It was very helpful in the early stages of
university answering questions on the wall posts about timetables, lectures etc.
 get to see people on your course.
 speaking to other students
 it helped me meet people outside of lectures
 Got to ask questions about any concerns I had
 gave me an idea of what to
 Allows you to communicate with other students
 information about the course met new people
 It was useful at the beginning when we were not used to usiing study space
 In this induction week it made me feel less apprehensive about uni.
 Handy when we had no timetables!
 Info about the course, easily accessible
 Easy to ask questions if needed to find something out.
 I discovered some information about my faculty and invited new friends.
 Being kept updated is welcoming
 Ability to view answers to important questions you may not have considered.
 Easy to ask questions and contact Karen! :-)
 Was able to see what other students concerns were.
 make friends idea on course
 Get to know what we were going to do in induction, find out extra information
 Being informed and reminded of certain events and what room they were in
 finding out crucial dates for the course - what texts were needed - other students posting same
queries as me - being able to contact tutors
 Being able to ask questions
 I don't know.
 Seeing who was on the course before joining it.
 To see who is on your course and to find out a little bit more about it before actually starting
 To find out more information about the course before arriving.
 Having the option to contact staff before StudySpace became available. Finding out updates on
lectures - reminders of times and rooms.
 Gave me the chance to find out information on the course, along with who was on it.
 Finding the important information for the induction week and what I wanted to know was
already there.
 Can ask questions & they are answered either by lecturers or students. Meeting new people.
 Getting an impression of who else was in the class.
 Getting an idea of what to expect
 It's another potential way to get questions answered.
 Making friends

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 Modernised teaching and learning. Shows how as media students we embrace the media i.e.
social networking
 Meet new people, an opportunity to ask questions, share worries!
 Helps meet new people that do the same course as you!
 Gaining information before starting the course in a easy way
 modernising education
 Keeping up to date with information and a great way of making new friends.
 Finding out specific information
 Connectivity with other peers and communication
 Finding more people on my course
 it keeps me closer to people i want 2 be around with
 keep updated
 Seeing who else was doing the same course
 keep updated and get answers to any questions
 Making new friends and gaining information about the course
 The possibility to help students with answers to their questions
 getting to see other members that will be in your course.
 Helped me get to know other students better.
 I got to know some other students and could make some friends. Furthermore, I felt more
content reading others students posts.
 really useful information as well as interacting with fellow classmates regarding university issues
etc. Very comforting to see who I will be in the same boat in such a new environment.
 just got more information
 Easy place to talk to other students/staff simply, without having to poke around StudySpace. Got
to know a little about what the course would be like before starting.
 being able to meet the teachers and get a grasp of the new surroundings in preparation to start
studying.
 I felt like i know more about what to expect from the course. I found it settling to know some
people before I went and to see some questions asked, and answered on the facebook group
wall that I wanted answered as well.
 Gain knowledge of what was happening during the Induction week and still have the group there
for future reference.
 Seeing people on the course and comparing questions/queries posted with my own.
 I got some useful information, for example about assessment in the first year.
 easy access to important information...on lectures etc...
 got to keep up to date with what’s going on.
 I knew what to expect when attending the first meeting, which made the experience less scary
and more exciting.

________________________________________________________________________________

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 6. Did the Facebook group help you to be
more prepared for induction?

Yes, quite a lot 27.2% (n=22)

Yes, a bit 53.1% (n=43)
Not really 16.0% (n=13)
Not at all 3.7% (n=3)

(Total who answered this question: 81 )

________________________________________________________________________________

7. Did the Facebook group lessen your anxiety

about starting at Kingston University?

Yes 68.3% (n=56)

No 31.7% (n=26)

(Total who answered this question: 82 )

________________________________________________________________________________

8. What piece of information accessed via the Facebook group did you find most useful?

 Induction information
 The link to StudentSpace and emails of lecturers
 lecture times and places
 Welcome message by Karen Lipsedge
 None.
 discussion
 What books to buy, how much they would cost.
 The fact that other people also felt unprepared.
 the content of the course
 Induction info
 lecture notes, course details
 The booklist
 Looking at other people questions helped
 The FAQs
 Inquiring about my timetable
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 Knowing others felt the same
 Lecturers info.
 Info about induction
 Being kept up to date on things e.g. to buy the module reader from the library.
 The info about assessment and core reading texts.
 Just the welcome aspect
 the wall postings - questions answered
 wallposts
 Important dates
 Timetable
 I didn't really look at it.
 Other students questions
 list of members
 All of it.
 Posts from other students & replies from staff.
 All of it.
 When we didn't have our timetables and there were posts of where to go and at what time.
 The main information that Karen posted about media and cultural studies. Also what expect
to bring to the class.
 The information about media groups and what we have to bring.
 Just preparing to come here and what to bring with us
 Being able to ask questions
 Reminders - on when I visit of what I need to do.
 Timetables
 the discussions
 problems that students faced..
 Questions asked by other students
 The modules
 Wall posts and concerns from other peers
 The FAQs
 Getting to know who karen Lipsedge before i resumed uni
 basic inquiries about the module
 N/A
 Timetable arrangements
 comments from the tutors and helpers
 the wall posts from other members, and the answers from the staff/students
 The questions asked by other students.
 the student posts section
 the induction week timetable and course details.
 the wall
 Strictly speaking they weren't a "piece of information" but the messages from Karen kept
things simple and easy to remember what was happening when. Go Karen!
 explaination of how the module works.
 I found it most useful during induction week, when timetables weren't certain as it was
easier to interact with the staff and students in order to find out where I had to be for that
week, and what I needed to have done.
 Everything because it showed me what was happening through the Induction week,
 Wall posts by other students

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  about assessments and readings
 any changes with lectures and some of the books that had to be purchased
 what will happen over the induction weeks and about the workshops.
 Nothing in particular really. I got quite a bit of information there, and most were useful.
________________________________________________________________________________

9. What one content area of the Facebook

group did you find the most useful?

wall posts 27.2% (n=22)

discussion boards 53.1% (n=43)
Email 16.0% (n=13)
Links 3.7% (n=3)

(Total who answered this question: 77 )

________________________________________________________________________________

10. Should such a Facebook group be managed

by students or do you think there should be
staff involvement?

Staff involvement 96.2% (n=75)

No staff involvement 3.8% (n=3)

(Total who answered this question: 78 )

________________________________________________________________________________

Reasons for the answer chosen were:

1. staff and student helpers are very helpful

2. I think both staff + students should have involvement.
3. Students can let you know about their experiences but having staff involvement means thay
give you accurate info about how teaching works as well.
4. having staff gives ability to answer questions from educated oppinion
5. Update of information
6. For staff to answer your questions, stuednts may not know.

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7. So staff have a say
8. Staff generally know more than students
9. Staff involvement for practical info. Student for moral support value
10. Staff can explain in detail what books to buy + course info
11. I think staff should definitely be involved as they can give important information and answer
querirs by students.
12. they know what is happening on the course better than students
13. Staff involvement could lessen the stress of change for students just coming out of the
school system because a) it's familiar to be directed by people in authority rather than toher
students and b) they may feel more confident that their questions might be answered more
accurately by a staff ember than a fellow student.
14. Both!
15. Staff control it better
16. Students might take advantage of the services the fb group offers
17. this is because staff know more information
18. Because students when they first start are clueless!
19. Staff know better than students
20. I think there should be input by both students and staff
21. Students won't generally know everything that is going on before they get to uni! We need
to be able to ask questions and gain a reliable response. For this I feel staff should play some
part.
22. Belonging to such a group makes me feel that I am part of a society. I can see my new
friends' profiles too.
23. Because staff are more informed.
24. As good as student interaction is, staff are likely to be able to answer more quesitons.
25. Staff come with more confidence
26. It was comforting/useful to be able to refer to/email member of staff. Put a "face" to the
subject in a way ...
27. It means students are able to ask staff things if necessary
28. I actually think both staff and students should manage it.
29. Both - different views
30. Staff making the decisions for deadlines, meetings etc. Students can help spread the word
31. Both I think.
32. it is good to get some information from the tutors and not just all from the students
33. I think it would be more clear if there is staff involvement. However, hearing from current
students is reassuring.
34. It helps to hear a bit from your tutors before starting uni. It makes the site seem a bit more
organised/structured.
35. Staff are obviously going to have a greater understanding and knowledge of what students
need to know, specifically about the course and starting university.
36. There are things students can't answer and with staff input it can help with understanding
37. We need more staff involvement so we can have the help needed, important dates and
information.
38. Need staff involvement because of the information that they give.
39. I think it should be both because students can give advice from experience but the teachers
know the facts and exactly what needs to be done etc.
40. I think both as we can get help from students and staff
41. Staff will always maintain professionalism.
42. Staff know about the course more

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43. Because you can ask them questions about specifics. Can also contact them to do with
personal work/timetables.
44. I think that both should be involved because sometimes the website might get out of control
and staff can supervise
45. Gives an introduction to all aspects
46. the interaction of students can be monitered by staff but controlled by students so it shares
a balance between these barriers
47. Vital course information can be added
48. because staff have experience about the course
49. Students can access important information enclosed by staff members rather than create a
mass discussion of confusion with no guidance, The input of students however is AS
important, so i feel there should be a balance
50. Staff are more capable and we students need to work
51. its very important the staff should be involved because i think it might turn out to be very
informal at some point also they might not have the answers to every questions being asked
by a novice student. however, with the involvement of a staff, everyone would get enjoy the
best of both sides which is the social and academic related purpose.
52. staff has more knowledge about the subject
53. Facebook is a socíal tool, not a learning tool as StudySpace etc.
54. staff has more detailed information and can come with inputs to questions or discussion
55. so we know exactly what the course involves
56. because tutors know about seminars, lectures, uni roles etc
57. having staff involved made me feel more involved and i felt more conifdent that the answers
to some of the question where definate, and i dont think i would have felt as conident that
they were if it was just run soley by students.
58. Because the staff may know more about how the university works and might be better
suited for answering questions from students. Fri, Oct 9, 2009 8:53 PM
59. stuff can give helpful advice when students dont know what to do.
60. staff are able to give us solid more reliable information as they profession in this field.
However, student input id helpful as it is first-hand experience. Fri, Oct 9, 2009 12:38 PM
61. Staff generally know more about the course and so are a better source of information for
new students. Thu, Oct 8, 2009 5:09 PM
62. staff are always going to have a slighty bigger awareness of the goings on within the
university
63. I think it is more settling to know that the staff are accessible in case there are any worries
about specific work for example or deadlines that other students may not be certain about
due to conflicting course material etc. Thu, Oct 8, 2009 2:16 PM
64. So we can give our explanations on what is going on around us.
65. It's good to see the staff on there and made me feel more confident about starting the
course
66. staff is more reliable
67. so that they are able to give us the relevant information as well as the student
involventment so that there is less anxiety
68. staff can have 'informational' input about what is going to happen whilst student input
keeps it more informal
69. Questions answered by a lecturer or a tutor is definitely more assuring. However, some
questions are best answered by a student helper who has been through the first year
process as they would have experienced it first hand.

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11. We'd really like to know what you think of universities using social networking sites like
Facebook for induction and pre-induction activities?

1. I think it's a good idea as it makes you less worried when starting.
2. Good idea, lessens anxiety + helps with preparation.
3. Quite useful for people who don't know anyone at uni
4. Yes it is a good idea to help people understand key dates
5. Students can benefit from it
6. Good idea
7. Think it’s great
8. I think it’s a good idea because it gives people a chance to learn more about the course
through past students and teachers and meet other students
9. I thought it was really relevant considering I was looking forward to studying new media.
Changing with the times will help to stay current with the students
10. I think it’s very useful as pre-induction, however, after I stared at the uni I stopped visiting
the site.
11. Very useful, eases you into the course and you can meet people before you attend. Nearly
everyone uses facebook
12. I think it's a good idea because it gives people the chance to share concerns/advice.
13. Very useful. People can discuss issues with work, lectures and other questions about the
course they may have.
14. good idea because people access it on a daily basis.
15. I think it's an interesting experiment and may help students get ot know each other in a less
stressful venue than their induction lecture/workshops, since it holds less social pressure
than face-to-face interaction.
16. I think it's a really good idea. I met two people from it!
17. It's a good idea.
18. It's good
19. i think it is a good idea because it gets rid of anxieties about starting
20. It's good as it lessens anxiety
21. It's cool, helps makes friends.
22. It's helpful.
23. I think it is a good way to connect with other students on the same course.
24. A good idea - the fact that mosts students/young people use them emans that it is accessible
and not an "effort" to find out information.
25. They are open-minded, modern, more friendly and familiar for future and current students.
26. It's good because people check it everyday (usually). And makes students feel at ease as it's
informal.
27. New! Prefer Student Space
28. Very useful, especially in a subject area like media and cultural studies!
29. I think it's a good idea, using something that most people are aware of.
30. Good idea for the up and coming generation.
31. Good idea!!
32. It's a good idea so that students can get to know each other.
33. brings people together helpful
34. It's
35. Helpful
36. It's cool
37. Everyone knows how to use them and uses them regularly so it's a good way to share
information.
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38. good
39. I think it is a good idea. Although I didn't myself, it allows students to talk together before
they arrive.
40. It was especially helpful due to the problems with accessing timetables.
41. It's a good idea as the majority of people are on social networking sites, it's an easy and
effective means of contacting students.
42. Think it's a good way of reaching the students
43. I would like to see a twitter page so maybe we could have a varied idea of what networking
sites we can join and maybe it will encourage us.
44. I think it is a good idea, as you meet new people& get to know yr lecturers, as well as vital
information.
45. It's useful because it is something people already feel confident using facebook and it feels
like they can access the information somewhere they are used to using rather than alien
student space.
46. I think it is very helpful as it helps make things a little less stressful and an idea of what to
expect when starting.
47. It's not for everyone but it's worth it for the ones it helps.
48. Very good, helps settle into uni and course
49. helps ease the tension of induction getting familiar with lectures and tutors knowing who
to contact familiarising with other students
50. Good way to communicate and lessen anxiety.
51. I think it is good because everyone can get to know each other
52. Its great, really on our level
53. it becomes part of routine like checking mail, reading texts, sharing information
54. I think its very beneficial and useful
55. N\A
56. Universities using social networking sites makes information more accessible and easier, as
well as the original Kingston Uni student space section also available.
57. Good idea, bridging the gap between students and staff
58. i think it’s a very good idea in the sense that a lot of younger these days can barely live
without the internet as it is available like almost everywhere...therefore its easier to reach
the students on sites like facebook rather than e-mail.
59. it is useful because students are more acquainted with such social network as fb
60. It is good because you can speak to fellow studnts, but universities should be careful not to
over and misuse it (Eg. sending reminders via FB).
61. It's a good way to reach the students as they use soacial networks more than emails. And it
is easier for conversations between students.
62. I think it’s very useful and helped me a lot settling into my course. Thank you.
63. I think it is a great idea since there are a lot of networking sites that people use on a daily
basis so information is much more accessible
64. i think it was very helpful before i came to the induction as i felt more involved and less
nervous as some of my questions where answered by other members on the group.
65. It's an interesting approach, which allows students to get to know each other over a forum
with less social pressures than "mixers", and as a media course, having a facebook group can
be good as a potential study tool.
66. I think that these universities are very modern and want to connect close to their students.
67. very helpful and most definitly reduced anxiety. Had I not joined this group my first few days
experience would have been different. Staff replies to our urgent questions being so quick is
very apperciated.
68. great idea

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 69. Very useful! Hoped the creative writing side of my degree had something similar but nope.
Great for asking questions/contacting other students. Kudos for embracing popular
technology effectively!
70. i think it is a birlliant idea becuase it alot more used by students and more likely that
students will view it as appose to student/study space.
71. I think it is a really good way to link people on the course closer together, and make it easier
to communicate with other students, and the staff.
72. I think it is quite exciting to learn that the University is keen for us to join groups such as this.
73. Great idea. Makes you feel more involved and get a better picture of what will happen when
you get to uni.
74. it is a good solution for the socialising process.
75. its a very good idea because it is targeting us on a format that most are already a custom to
76. I think its a good idea because alot of us were confused to begin with , with study /student
space.
77. I think it 's really helpful in terms of making the student feel more comfortable and less
nervous when attending the induction meetings. The site also provides useful information
such as what we would be discussing during the meetings and so on, as well as enable new
students to get to know other fellow first years. Therefore, I think the use of social
networking sites are for induction activities are very helpful as it reaches the students in
their comfort zone allowing them to communicate with better ease before the formal
introductions have been made.
________________________________________________________________________________

12. What suggestions do you have for improving the Facebook group for induction and pre-
induction?

1. None!
2. None, perfect!
3. More academic related purposes
4. Suggest it before induction, I did't know about it until I started.
5. ? can't think of any?
6. more videos/information about content
7. Have more general discussion groups
8. More course details about books we need to buy. Also tell ius what assignments we could
prepare for.
9. involve students in topic discussions based on essays or lectures
10. Maybe more encouraging studentsocialising via mixers or study groups organised via
facebook.
11. Put assignments in a list - I'm very confused!
12. N/A
13. Maybe put more of the information that can be found on the blackboard site on the fb
group
14. More awareness needed!
15. They should have one for all students.
16. More information about assessment.
17. Get more word out about it.
18. Not everyone may be on Facebook so some people will miss out.
19. None come to mind
20. Important dates.
21. not sure???

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22. More information about the reading list before you arrive.
23. Perhaps including a brief introduction from all the tutors to help prospective students feel ar
ease with starting the course.
24. More information on the reading lists and module content.
25. None
26. I don't see a problem with how the group is run.
27. More involvement from students and maybe activities.
28. Set deadlines as Facebook events
29. discussion board based on seminars or lectures student-to-student 'learning' i.e. working in
groups also encourage discussion, debating.
30. broader videos
31. a virtual community in groups set to talk about different related topics…
32. None
33. N\A
34. Post student advice from Level 5 or 6 students
35. None that I can think of at this time
36. i would suppose the consistency regarding the reminder for students and keeping them
posted about things should carry on
37. maybe upload more pictures of university and classes
38. Less emails. There was just TOO many. The information was shared through too many
Medias and I read the same messages up to 3 times.
39. I didn't hear about the group before after induction
40. Maybe to start the group a bit earlier into summer.
41. I think that the group was successful as it was!
42. slightly less formal.
43. Maybe adding more discussions and events for people to get into and involved?
44. I would upload a copy of important events so that students have an overview over
everything that will occur to them.
45. cannot fault.
46. i think it worked great as a whole
47. An easily accessible list of books we need to buy/read would be useful, that way it gives
people time to prepare before coming to Uni (especially because a lot of students might still
be sponging off their parents at that point!). Other than that though, all that's really needed
are a few useful links (were the module guides up there?) and attentive staff/students who
can answer queries quickly, which you did very well!
48. i think that the facebook site doesn't give a very clear indication of who is who within the
modules. although i found it usefull in getting in a rough idea i still didnt really understand
what i was going to be doing untill after i was explained in lectures.
49. I would suggest perhaps using it for a more academic purpose by posting suggested reading
or preparation for books, equipment etc.
50. Have more pictures of the University lectures I suppose or of the Lecturers themselfs so we
know who is teaching us.
51. More things to make it interactive. Maybe you could have a forum where everyone has to
post a quiz/profile type thing.
52. no suggestions
53. more information about social events that involve media that students like us could attend
in order to socialise and also have a better understanding of the subject should also be
advertise on the space. its killing two birds with one stone as they say.
54. have more discussion boards
55. Can't think of any suggestions at the moment.

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______________________________________________________________________________

13. Do you think we should keep the Facebook

group going for social and academic-related
purposes?

Yes 100% (n=78)

No 0% (0)

(Total who answered this question: 78 )

References

boyd, d. & Ellison, N.B. (2008). Social Network Sites: Definition, History, and Scholarship. Journal of
Computer-Mediated Communication, 13(1) http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol13/issue1/boyd.ellison.html

Currant, B. & N. (2009). Online Pre-induction Support. In A. Cook & B. Rushton (eds) How to Recruit
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