The use of Facebook in Preparing Graduates for the World of Work

Since the inception of democratic government in South Africa in 1994, Higher Education institutions in South Africa have seen a steady increase in student numbers. While the increase in student enrollment is good in terms of increasing access to education, the sector is faced with poor student success rates. Furthermore, employers claim that most graduates emanating from Higher Education institutions in South Africa are functionally illiterate and lack most skills required in the 21st century workplace. Informed by the concept of employability and the skills required in the 21 Century workplace, this study investigated how Facebook was being used at a University of Technology, South Africa, to prepare graduates for the world of work. The focus of the paper is on how the Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Management at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology utilized Facebook to prepare students for the world of work. We employed a qualitative research approach to understand and investigate the issue under study. Data were gathered using an in-depth interview and document analysis. An in-depth interview was carried out with the lecturer who used Facebook in his/her teaching and learning of the students and students Facebook posts were analysed. The interview was tape recorded following consent from the participant, and the recorded interview was transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using inductive strategy. Findings of the study show that the use of Facebook facilitated the learning of the subject matter through lecturer and students interactions, student-content interaction, and student-student support, leading to deep understanding of the subject matter. Deep understanding of the subject matter is vital gaining employment, but not sufficient to guarantee one a job. Hence, Facebook also enabled students to acquire the skill of working in teams or as a community through the collaboration supported by the tool. Furthermore, Facebook facilitated acquisition of communications skills, taking initiative and self-directed and problem solving skills: key skills needed in the 21st Century workplace. We hope that insights and ideas generated in this study will shed light on how Facebook can be used to prepare students for the world of work. The study will also contribute literature in this field which is largely under-researched.