Facebook Usage Experience of Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching (PGDT) Students in Jimma University

Abstract

This research intended to explore and describe the Facebook usage experience of Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching (PGDT) students in the context of Jimma University. The study mainly relied on in-depth interview with participants of the study complemented by essay report in order to collect data. Transcendental research design was used. The prime motive behind this decision was that transcendental phenomenology is concerned with the human experience as it is lived with the focus of illuminating details, creating meaning, and achieving a sense of understanding the phenomenon of interest. The findings of this study showed that participants of the study spent two hours per day and fourteen hours per week on Facebook; used Facebook for virtual socialization and entertainment; students were exposed to negative emotions as a result of Facebook usage; there are worries because of the spread of hate speeches; there is very limited experience among participants in terms of using Facebook for their academic learning; and there is the knowledge and skill gap in using Facebook for educational purposes. Following the findings of the study recommendation on untreated challenges and future research has been suggested.