Online Learning Community: University English Teachers’ Engagement in Using Facebook Page
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46328/ijtes.5466Keywords:
Facebook page, Action research, Online learning tool, Pedagogical skills, Social networking sites, Teachers' professional skillsAbstract
In addition to providing a wide range of information, Facebook has also been used as a significant learning platform in various educational contexts. This article examines the experiences of University English Teachers (UETs) in Nepal who engaged in a Facebook page as an Online Learning Community (OLC). A four-week intervention was conducted among 19 UETs, who shared professional development content and related activities on the page. Qualitative data were collected through online semi-structured interviews with 11 UETs and were analyzed thematically based on interpretative phenomenological analysis. The findings revealed that teachers initially had limited awareness of the concept of OLC; they gradually identified it as a valuable space for sharing experiences, solving professional challenges, and developing collaborative skills. Their engagement increased on the page through activities such as following shared content, commenting, and uploading their learning materials. UETs shared mixed experiences on the Facebook page's effectiveness for academic discussion and professional development. Moreover, they also expressed challenges related to technical devices and skills for active engagement in the OLC. The study suggests that professional online social communities can enhance English teachers' professional knowledge and collaborative skills.
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