Facebook short response: The 10/90 model and comment and-reply strategy

Abstract

This paper presents an action research project designed to explore how a Facebook group wall discussion is integrated as the flexible learning activity (FLA) in an undergraduate teacher education program literature course. It describes the nature, patterns and nuances of the short responses and how teacher-student and student-student interactions in the online course enrichment activities are formed. Data was gathered through content analyses of comments and replies including an online forum. Although action research is limited by its generalizability and focus, the study yields innovative and interactive ways of keeping students to be academically and emotionally engaged through the consistently prevailing 10/90 model ratio of teacher and students online content contribution shared respectively. Positive theme generations and active interactions of students are mostly evident. Pedagogical online functions of teacher and student-student connections are recognized to support how the project became a viable platform for idea expression, fun, freedom and flexibility, and thus converting students' regular online social media behaviors into academic works. Considerations for the next cycle via Facebook group or related platforms are also extended. Finally, data-driven results with student stakeholders' inputs justifiably espouse relevant theoretical propositions and pedagogical model or lessons for both teacher-practitioners and academic researchers to try in different setting, in other courses, and/or to investigate further.