Using fb group to support postgraduates: a case study of DSG Anita Adnan ICT Consultant Trainer / Online Instructor Megabase Training & Consultancy

About Me About Doctorate Support Group (DSG) Facebook in education Features in fb closed group Current Initiatives What’s Next? Conclusion OVERVIEW

Who Am I ? A Mom A Wife A researcher A Consultant & Trainer A multitasker Life is SHORT – Explore! Positive Thinking will bring you a LONG way!

The rationale for creating a support group in facebook Facebook in education Allen, M. (2012). An education in Facebook. Digital culture and education, 4(3), Bicen, H., & Cavus, N. (2011). Social network sites usage habits of undergraduate students: Case study of Facebook. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 28, Kabilan, M. K., Ahmad, N., & Abidin, M. J. Z. (2010). Facebook: An online environment for learning of English in institutions of higher education?. The Internet and Higher Education, 13(4), Sánchez, R. A., Cortijo, V., & Javed, U. (2014). Students' perceptions of Facebook for academic purposes. Computers & Education, 70,

Features in closed Fb group

WHY Facebook? Who is not on Facebook? The majority of students are there 24 /7 availability User friendly features Quick updates Easy sharing of FILES and NOTES and EVENTS The use of CHAT Box for instant communication Video Calls in facebook – for discussions Connecting and Collaborating with people from all around the world Some Safety issues ! Your online identity ( Personal Vs Professional) You are exposed to scams or fake people trying to connect with you Location – never share! Pictures of family / kids or your belongings – moderate sharing

WHO WHAT WHER E WHEN HO W WHY

Our Mission : To connect and network, share knowledge, resources and success stories or challenges. To share best practices, tips, jokes, and discuss ideas about postgraduate studies. What is DSG ? 2 admins, 5 Advisors, Online Professors and Various Experts from multi disciplinary subjects and areas

37k members worldwide Mostly Phd students Some Masters students Lecturers, Teachers Professors Deans, TNCs WHO ARE DSG MEMBERS?

WHER E our portal : Webinar Link : WHEN Created in 2007 Original members 100 from UK and Malaysia 2 admins

WHY Provide online support to Thesis Writers Share resources (e-books and journals) Most postgraduates can connect online Feel safe in a closed group Most members are either moms or dads with small kids A venue to share problems and ask questions Acts as a Virtual Classroom Availability 24/7, 365 days

Success Stories

Current Initiatives  Putting more resources in our portal  Creating FREE Webinars with various topics  Developing PAID Online Courses and Premium Webinars  Developing a database for Experts in DSG  Developing a database for service and content providers  related to postgraduates  Inviting more speakers/trainers/ experts to be  DSG Advisors  Writing Journal Articles on DSG

WHAT’S NEXT?  To become the one stop resource center for all postgraduates matters  To register as a Research Society  To develop our portal as an online Virtual Academic Centre to postgraduates from all around the world  To collaborate with established universities or educational institutions and offer accredited online courses leading to recognized certificates or modules  Ultimate Aim - DSG Virtual University

 Facebook is a really useful tool for education  Managing a huge group takes some time, but it’s worth it  Line between personal and professional lives become blurry  Although there are some safety and privacy issues when you mix personal lives and professional or academic lives – you can always control what you share.  Education should become accessible anywhere, anytime CONCLUSION

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