Abstract

Application of innovative teaching techniques may be one way to improve student learning. Research suggests that social support, including integration of social media platforms such as Facebook into undergraduate learning experiences can benefit students’ transition to college life. Studies are now exploring the use of social media as a pedagogical tool to enhance student engagement and learning. This study examines undergraduate students’ academic self-efficacy in the context of a reflective learning process at the conclusion of guest speaker engagements in class. Undergraduates (n=34) self-selected into groups, where one group utilized Facebook as a reflective platform (n=10) and the other group used the University’s electronic course management system (ECMS) as a reflective platform (n=24). In addition to measuring academic self-efficacy using a Likert Scale, Facebook self-efficacy, usage and attitudinal questions were also measured. Results suggest that allowing students to utilize social media platforms to enhance learning in a reflective context may contribute to an overall increase in academic self-efficacy. This study also suggests that use of social media as a way to reflect on guest speaker presentations may engage students in learning experiences that are already common in the context of their social media world.