Socialisation, peer support and the
building of communities of practice are accepted as having positive effects on
students’ experiences of study. (Mason and Rennie, 2008)) A group of doctoral
candidates studying for a Doctorate in Education (EdD ) at the University of
Central Lancashire (UCLan) set up a Facebook group to facilitate peer support
within their cohort. This presentation will offer their reflections on their
use and perceived benefits of the Facebook group as they navigate their way
through the doctoral maze, and of the impact on their individual and communal
developing identities as doctoral candidates and researchers (Fenge, 2010).
To co-construct this presentation, 3 members
of the group have each reflected on their own use and perceptions of the
Facebook group, and have examined postings on the page to code interactions. This
project has been undertaken with the permission of the whole group.
Themes emerging from member’s reflections
and from posting and interactions within the group, which include: seeking and
giving support, sharing triumphs and disasters, exchanging resources, checking
details, exchanging banter, building a cohort identity, and developing
individual scholarly identity.
References:
Mason, R. & Rennie, F. (2008) E-learning and Social Networking Handbook:
Resources for Higher Education, New York: Routledge
