Aims
This study aims to understand how and why teachers interested in ICTs in teaching and learning are using emoticons, as well as what emoticons they are using on Facebook. This group of teachers was chosen due to their interest in ICT, as such interest might contribute to the factor that they are indeed using the emoticons. Furthermore, we will be concentrating on the six emoticons provided by Facebook to express one's emotions about posts and pictures.
The social media is increasingly becoming important in the way people communicate. A new trend, however, has emerged in which importance is being placed on the use of pictorial representations to express feelings, attitudes and emotions. It is also fast and convinient way of communication, and this is of paramount importance especially in hectic set ups which for instance, teachers work in.
Previous studies have shown that the use of emoticons creates a friendly persona in the social media. Positive personalities can hence be linked to well-being and better relationship among teachers in their working relationships.
The use of emoticons can thus not be ignored because it is simply the way we communicate today. It is therefore important to investigate how teachers relate to their use specifically on Facebook.
Research questions
RQ1 How does use of emoticons contribute to the improvement of working relationship among teachers?
RQ2 Under what circumstances do teachers use emoticons amongst themselves?
RQ3 What type of emoticons are frequently used by the teachers?
RQ4 To what extent does the use of emoticon compare in terms of teachers’ gender difference?