Contracting the Facebook API

In recent years, there has been an explosive growth in the popularity of online social networks such as Facebook. In a new twist, third party developers are now able to create their own web applications which plug into Facebook and work with Facebook's "social" data, enabling the entire Facebook user base of more than 400 million active users to use such applications. These client applications can contain subtle errors that can be hard to debug if they misuse the Facebook API. In this paper we present an experience report on applying Microsoft's new code contract system for the .NET framework to the Facebook API.We wrote contracts for several classes in the Facebook API wrapper which allows Microsoft .NET developers to implement Facebook applications. We evaluated the usefulness of these contracts during implementation of a new Facebook application. Our experience indicates that having code contracts provides a better and quicker software development experience.Comment: In Proceedings TAV-WEB 2010, arXiv:1009.330

How Important is being Liked ? The Relation between Facebook Use and Well-being

Facebook is used by approximately 1.06 billion(Craig,2013) to keep in touch with family and friends. However, the question remains whether Facebook is helpful or harmful to people’s well being. According to a research study conducted by Gonzales and Hancock (2010), Facebook use enhances self-esteem by providing multiple opportunities for selective self-presentation through photos and personal details. Another research study by Twenge, Freeman and Campbell (2012) found that participants who spent time on social network sites endorsed more positive self-views. While some research indicates that Facebook has a positive effect on the user other studies suggest that Facebook use is detrimental. A study conducted by Tazghini and Siedlecki (2013) found a negative association between self-esteem and Facebook activity. This association was related to actions like untagging “undesirable” pictures or adding others as friends who they are not familiar with. Similarly, Sheppard Pratt’s (2012) research indicated that Facebook has a negative impact on self-esteem and body image . “Facebook is making it easier for people to spend more time and energy criticizing their own bodies and wishing they looked like someone else” (Dr. Harry Brandt, director of The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt). Given the discrepancies in the research, a worthwhile next step involves examining personal characteristics that may influence the relationship between Facebook use and well-being. The present research will examine whether certain factors influence the relationship between Facebook use and overall well-being.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/uresposters/1033/thumbnail.jp

Exploring the views of students on the use of Facebook in university teaching and learning

Facebook use among students is almost ubiquitous; however, its use for formal academic purposes remains contested. Through an online survey monitoring student use of module Facebook pages and focus groups, this study explores students’ current academic uses of Facebook and their views on using Facebook within university modules. Students reported using Facebook for academic purposes, notably peer–peer communication around group work and assessment – a use not always conceptualised by students as learning. Focus groups revealed that students are not ready or equipped for the collaborative style of learning envisaged by the tutor and see Facebook as their personal domain, within which they will discuss academic topics where they see a strong relevance and purpose, notably in connection with assessment. Students use Facebook for their own mutually defined purposes and a change in student mind- and skill-sets is required to appropriate the collaborative learning benefits of Facebook in formal educational contexts

The Role of News on Facebook: Common yet Incidental

On Facebook, the largest social media platform, news is a common but incidental experience, according to an initiative of Pew Research Center in collaboration with the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Overall, about half of adult Facebook users, 47%, "ever" get news there. That amounts to 30% of the population. Most U.S. adults do not go to Facebook seeking news out, the nationally representative online majority of Facebook news consumers, 78%, get news when they are on Facebook for other reasons. And just 4% say it is the most important way they get newsHowever, the survey provides evidence that Facebook exposes some people to news who otherwise might not get it. While only 38% of heavy news followers who get news on Facebook say the site is an important way they get news, that figure rises to 47% among those who follow the news less often.

A Facebook group among postgraduate students: Evaluation results towards learning

Facebook is a very popular social media platform used by a significant number worldwide. There is strong evidence that Facebook may also facilitate learning activities, however there is not much research about the implementation of Facebook as a learning tool in higher education. In our study we investigate the use of a Facebook group among postgraduate students at the department of Informatics of the Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, Greece. In particular, we measured the contribution of a Facebook group regarding four factors: students’ engagement, students’ motivation, students’ collaborative learning and students’ satisfaction. Furthermore, we examined any significant correlations between our variables. This study shows that a Facebook group is able to facilitate learning among students in a positive way and consequently work fairly as a collaborative learning tool

An Applied Study on Educational Use of Facebook as a Web 2.0 Tool: The Sample Lesson of Computer Networks and Communication

The main aim of the research was to examine educational use of Facebook. The Computer Networks and Communication lesson was taken as the sample and the attitudes of the students included in the study group towards Facebook were measured in a semi-experimental setup. The students on Facebook platform were examined for about three months and they continued their education interactively in that virtual environment. After the-three-month-education period, observations for the students were reported and the attitudes of the students towards Facebook were measured by three different measurement tools. As a result, the attitudes of the students towards educational use of Facebook and their views were heterogeneous. When the average values of the group were examined, it was reported that the attitudes towards educational use of Facebook was above a moderate level. Therefore, it might be suggested that social networks in virtual environments provide continuity in life long learning.Comment: 11 page

Can the use of a Facebook group in addition to classroom teaching enhance exam success in a Drug Calculations module?

A wide range of literature acknowledges the use of e- and traditional learning in the health professions but further research is frequently recommended to explore perceived benefits (Lahti, Hatonen & Valimaki, 2013; Cook et al, 2010) particularly in the rapidly changing technological environment. Facebook boasts 1.11 billion users; over 61% access this via mobile ‘anytime, anywhere’ (Statistics Brain, 2013). In the United Kingdom an estimated 80% of student nurses may have a Facebook account, with a wide range of informal programme/university specific ‘groups’ available to members for support/advice. As an electronic and mobile learning tool, Facebook offers quick, easy, flexible access, complementing the ‘always on’ behaviours of nursing students today. Aim: To establish if a module specific Facebook group can improve examination success and user satisfaction in a Drug Calculations Examination. Method: Examination scores and feedback questionnaire were used to evaluate exam success and satisfaction of pre-nursing students undertaking a Drug Calculations Module. A 30 student cohort opted in or out of using a Facebook group in addition to classroom teaching. Results: A t-test to the 95% confidence level showed that students who opted in to the Facebook group were more likely to pass on first attempt with a higher mark on their exam; p=0.038. Chi-square testing showed White British students were more likely to opt-in to the Facebook group p=0.000. 90% of group users expressed that it improved their learning experience and would use it again. Conclusion: Facebook groups enhanced student success in their Drug Calculations examination and were a satisfactory option to students who chose to opt in. Students from Black/Black African groups were less likely to use this learning option. Additional research is required into student demographics and use of Facebook groups, along with more robust exploration of student use of Facebook groups for formal/informal educational support/advice