Developing a Community of Academic Writers: Using Social Media to Support Academic Accountability, Motivation, and Productivity

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 3-1-2019

Department

Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education

School

Education

Abstract

This qualitative study investigated the use of Facebook as an online social network site as a support tool for graduate students' and faculty's writing accountability, motivation, and productivity. The purpose of the study was to explore writing practices while using a Facebook group as a physical and virtual place to provide support and acocuntability. Data came from the Facebook group's postings and responses from group members to an online questionnaire. Through a sociocultural lens, the research team explored the social environment of the community, and the results suggest that the Facebook group offered participants a platform to support one another, while providing peer accountability and building a community for their academic writing. Overall, the qualitative data analysis showed evidence that group membership allowed for building a community, including face-to-face contact, with fellow academic writers.

Publication Title

Journal of Literacy and Technology

Issue

2

First Page

61

Last Page

96

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