Why is it Not Permissible in Islam for a Women to shake hands

A Non Muslim came to a Sufi and asked: Why is it Not Permissible in Islam for a Women to shake hands with a Man?

The four Madhabs and the madhab of Rasoolullah ( part 1 ) - Sheikh Mumtaz ul Haq

The literal meaning of the word Madhab in Arabic means "a path".

Kisah Harun ar-Rasyid dan Buhlul

Dikisahkan bahawa Buhlul adalah merupakan seorang lelaki gila pada zaman al-Khalifah al-'Abbasi Harun ar-Rasyid.

Facebook usage patterns and school attitudes

Bernadett Koles, Peter Nagy, (2012),"Facebook usage patterns and school attitudes", Multicultural Education & Technology Journal, Vol. 6 Iss: 1 pp. 4 - 17, DOI: 10.1108/17504971211216283

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore teenagers' and young adults' use of social networking sites (SNS), in light of certain personal, social and educational outcomes and attitudes.

Design/methodology/approach – Data were gathered on the basis of surveys, and were analyzed through a series of multivariate models.

Findings – It was found that participants' reasons and motivations for online presence varied as a function of gender and age. Different degrees of Facebook usage were linked with different school-related attitudes. More specifically, more extensive usage was associated with more negative school and peer attitudes; more so for females and for college students. Furthermore, greater reliance on online interactions for social and emotional support was found disadvantageous for college students, while neutral or in some cases beneficial for high school students.

Research limitations/implications – Gender and educational level appear to be important factors explaining some of the variation in school-related attitudes, and thus should be explored separately.

Practical implications – The differential impact of online presence on school attitudes for college and high school students highlights the need for teachers and student advisors to be sensitive to such transitional groups.

Social implications – The authors found that more popular students, those often viewed as “opinion leaders”, tended to show more negative school outcomes than less popular students in general; a relevant point for organizations.

Originality/value – Facebook usage and school-related attitudes were observed simultaneously in high school and college populations studying in Budapest, Hungary.

Keywords: Adaptive technologies, Facebook, Higher education, Hungary, Internet, Learning, Secondary schools, Social media, Social networking sites, Students, Young adults >

Use of Facebook: a case study of Singapore students' experience

Khe Foon Hew, Wing Sum Cheung, Use of Facebook: a case study of Singapore students' experience, Asia Pacific Journal of Education, Vol. 32, Iss. 2, 2012, pages 181-196, DOI:10.1080/02188791.2012.685560

Abstract

Facebook has become one of the most popular social network sites among many students. However, current research on Facebook use has focused mainly on Anglo-American students. Relatively little is known about Facebook use in Singapore. Data were collected from 83 students (ages ranged from 15 to 23). This study uses a naturalistic case study wherein the students' decision to use Facebook is a personal decision and on a voluntarily basis; their participation is not a required or graded component. The specific objectives of the study are first, to examine Singapore students' motives for using Facebook; second, to investigate the types of friends they communicated with on Facebook; and third, to examine how students manage their privacy on the social networking site. Findings suggested that the current sample of Singapore students used Facebook primarily for non-educational purposes. Specifically, Facebook was used to maintain relationships with existing known friends such as former or current schoolmates. Respondents also reported using Facebook for entertainment purposes and to vent their emotions. No respondent reported using Facebook for educational purposes. The most common strategy for privacy protection utilized by the respondents was to decrease profile information visibility through restricting access to only known friends. Educational implications of the findings as well as suggestions for future research are provided.

Keywords
Facebook, computer-mediated communication, social interaction, social networking sites >

Tapping the educational potential of Facebook: Guidelines for use in higher education

Rex Wang, Phil Scown, Cathy Urquhart, Julie Hardman (2012) Tapping the educational potential of Facebook: Guidelines for use in higher education, Education and Information Technologies, DOI 10.1007/s10639-012-9206-z

Abstract

Facebook is a frequently used Computer Mediated Environment (CME) for students and others to build social connections, with identities and deposited self-expression. Its widespread use makes it appropriate for consideration as an educational tool; though one that does not yet have clear guidelines for use. Whether a social networking site can be used for educational objectives remains largely unexplored as a research question. This paper discusses a study conducted at the University of Auckland and at Manchester Metropolitan University on how their students use Facebook, and its impact on their social and academic lives. Using theories of social capital and knowledge management, we explore some potential educational uses of Facebook. Guidelines are included for the educational use of Facebook by tutors in a university environment. These include both positive recommendations and activities and approaches to avoid; and include educational, administrative and legal issues.

Keywords Facebook Computer Mediated Environment (CME) Social networking Social capital Knowledge management, guidelines >

Facebook usage patterns and school attitudes

Bernadett Koles, Peter Nagy, (2012) "Facebook usage patterns and school attitudes", Multicultural Education & Technology Journal, Vol. 6 Iss: 1, pp.4 - 17, DOI: 10.1108/17504971211216283

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore teenagers" and young adults" use of social networking sites (SNS), in light of certain personal, social and educational outcomes and attitudes.

Design/methodology/approach – Data were gathered on the basis of surveys, and were analyzed through a series of multivariate models.

Findings – It was found that participants" reasons and motivations for online presence varied as a function of gender and age. Different degrees of Facebook usage were linked with different school-related attitudes. More specifically, more extensive usage was associated with more negative school and peer attitudes; more so for females and for college students. Furthermore, greater reliance on online interactions for social and emotional support was found disadvantageous for college students, while neutral or in some cases beneficial for high school students.

Research limitations/implications – Gender and educational level appear to be important factors explaining some of the variation in school-related attitudes, and thus should be explored separately.

Practical implications – The differential impact of online atoledo.com presence on school attitudes for college and high school students highlights the need for teachers and student advisors to be sensitive to such transitional groups.

Social implications – The authors found that more popular students, those often viewed as “opinion leaders”, tended to show more negative school outcomes than less popular students in general; a relevant point for organizations.

Originality/value – Facebook usage and school-related attitudes were observed simultaneously in high school and college populations studying in Budapest, Hungary.

Keywords: Adaptive technologies, Facebook, Higher education, Hungary, Internet, Learning, Secondary schools, Social media, Social networking sites, Students, Young adults >

Using the Facebook group as a learning management system: An exploratory study

Qiyun Wang, Huay Lit Woo, Choon Lang Quek, Yuqin Yang and Mei Liu, Using the Facebook group as a learning management system: An exploratory study, British Journal of Educational Technology, Vol 43, No 3, 2012, p.428–438, doi:10.1111/j.1467-8535.2011.01195.x

Abstract

Facebook is a popular social networking site. It, like many other new technologies, has potential for teaching and learning because of its unique built-in functions that offer pedagogical, social and technological affordances. In this study, the Facebook group was used as a learning management system (LMS) in two courses for putting up announcements, sharing resources, organizing weekly tutorials and conducting online discussions at a teacher education institute in Singapore. This study explores using the Facebook group as an LMS and the students’ perceptions of using it in their courses. Results showed that students were basically satisfied with the affordances of Facebook as the fundamental functions of an LMS could be easily implemented in the Facebook group. However, using the Facebook group as an LMS has certain limitations. It did not support other format files to be uploaded directly, and the discussion was not organized in a threaded structure. Also, the students did not feel safe and comfortable as their privacy might be revealed. Constraints of using the Facebook group as an LMS, implications for practice and limitations of this study are discussed. >

Exploring the Potential Benefits of Facebook on Personal, Social, Academic and Career Development for Higher Education Students

Kenneth Wong, Reggie Kwan, Kat Leung, Fu Lee Wang, Exploring the Potential Benefits of Facebook on Personal, Social, Academic and Career Development for Higher Education Students, 5th International Conference, ICHL 2012, Guangzhou, China, August 13-15, 2012. Proceedings

Abstract

At present, Facebook is a free and one of the most popular social networking sites. Its primary purpose is to provide an online communication platform for users to make new friends and interact with them. It may be an ideal platform for online learning community with great potential to facilitate student guidance and counseling work. In this paper, we present findings from a small scale study exploring the potential benefits of Facebook on personal, social, academic and career development. Data were collected from interviews and messages written by the students on Facebook. The results indicated that both students and teachers would benefit from this new approach. The potential benefits of Facebook for students are not only limited to academic development but also in personal/social development and career development. >

Facebook Admits to Cookie Tracking Allegations

When the Cookie Tracking issue on Facebook first exploded, users and non-users were aghast to find out that the social networking site could possibly be tracking our online activity. But Facebook brushed it off with an excuse saying that all information gathered through the cookies are “anonymized” and that they were only doing it for user protection. >

What Google and Facebook are Hiding

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOTPz7KnwIA&feature=related

OMG: brains can’t handle all our Facebook friends

Facebook users 'are insecure, narcissistic and have low self-esteem'

Using Facebook is the online equivalent of staring at yourself in the mirror, according to a study.

Those who spent more time updating their profile on the social networking site were more likely to be narcissists, said researchers.

Facebook provides an ideal setting for narcissists to monitor their appearance and how many ‘friends’ they have, the study said, as it allows them to thrive on ‘shallow’ relationships while avoiding genuine warmth and empathy. >

Facebook fatigue sets in for 100,000 Brits: Users bored with site deactivate accounts amid privacy fears

Tired of social networking? Logging off Facebook? You’re probably not the only one. Fearing for their privacy or perhaps just bored with using the site, 100,000 Britons are said to have deactivated their accounts last month. And Facebook fatigue seems to be catching. Six million logged off for good in the U.S. too, figures show. >

Facebook: Five things to avoid

She has learned the hard way, but for the rest of us there are some essential "don'ts" if you want to stay out of trouble on Facebook. Don't... >