The Use of Facebook in International Multi-course Collaborative Projects in Fashion Merchandising Curriculum

Abstract

This study examined students' perceived importance of the benefits derived from an international multi-course collaborative (IMCC) project and how these perceptions impact students' extrinsic and intrinsic motivations for using the project Facebook (i.e., perceived usefulness and enjoyment), attitude toward the project, and intent to participate in future IMCC projects. The data were collected from 96 students who participated in the IMCC project and were enrolled in four different fashion merchandising courses in two different countries, the U.S. and South Korea. This study found that perceived enjoyment of the project Facebook influenced attitude toward the project and intent to participate in future IMCC projects. Perceived usefulness and enjoyment were predicted by the perceived importance of cultural understanding and feedback exchange among international group members. Attitude was influenced by the perceived importance of networking through the IMCC project, while intent to participate in future IMCC projects was predicted by perceived importance of cultural understanding and networking through the IMCC project. This study provides educators in the related disciplines insights about how to incorporate social network sites into course curricula to motivate students' project participation and learning.