FACEBOOK GROUPS AS A COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE PLATFORM

The main purpose of this study was to investigate whether using Facebook groups as a professional development resource for the Omani IT teachers can create a community of practice?

Based on that, this study sought to answer the following questions:
(a) Is there an identifiable theme that defines the domain of the current Facebook group?
(b) Does any interaction and knowledge sharing exist in the Facebook group?
(c) Are there any useful products developed through the members interaction (if it exists) that can be useful for others?

This study used a case study approach. A Facebook groups was created for the IT teachers. Questionnaires were distributed to participants (n=31). 3 participants were interviewed. The content of the Facebook group was analysed against number of Community of Practice criteria.

The results showed that Facebook groups have good features to host the activities of a community of practice. Although some participants believe that Facebook is not their favorable place for communication and knowledge sharing.