Breaking Barriers: A Case Study of Culture and Facebook Usage

Abstract

This case study forms part of an ongoing project to examine how different cultures interact when using social networking websites in higher education; in this case the focus is on Facebook. It explores how current models and ideas continue to evolve and shift as the body of work within this subject area expands. It offers practical advice on how tutors and designers might improve their use of online social networking in the future. It certainly does not contain all the answers. However, it does offer some insights for educationalists and online social network designers. The paper concludes that cultural differences may have an effect on how social media (Facebook) is used. Suggestions are made on how barriers to using Facebook may be overcome, in order to include Facebook in teaching and learning as a useful tool to improve the language, social, and professional skills of International and European students.