There is no question in my mind that social networking is an effective learning tool. The fact is that this is going to be a major force in the learning of the future. Buzzetto-More (2012) explained this in detail, “Previously held concepts of personal expression, privacy, and interpersonal relationships have been replaced by re-envisioned web 2.0 conceptualizations” (p. 63). The World Wide Web and all the different social networking sites have become the most influential form of expression. We as educators need to harness this tool in order to effectively teach our students.
From communicating with other students and colleagues it is clear that students feel
social networking helps builds learning communities. Buzzetto-More (2012) stated,
"When asked to compare Facebook to the popular Blackboard Learning Management System (LMS) Blackboard was found to be better suited for course announcements and for providing links to course resources; the two systems were rated equal when it came to hosting study sessions, supporting group projects, and facilitating question and answer sessions, and Facebook was considered overwhelmingly superior for community building and facilitating class discussions" (p. 64)
In the future, I think that educators will have to get more and more creative with
learning activities. Educators should continue to use traditional print based literacies in combination with social networking sites (Buzzetto-More, 2012). All the students and colleagues that I have spoken with feel that this will lead to effective learning outcomes. According to Buzzetto-More (2012), “With well-developed learning activities and sound pedagogy in mind, social networking can be used to create learning activities that are highly constructivist” (p. 67). My hope is to continue to learn creative ways to teach the students of the future.
Reference:
Buzzetto-More, N. (2012). Social networking in undergraduate education.
Interdisciplinary Journal of Information, Knowledge,and Management, 7.
From communicating with other students and colleagues it is clear that students feel
social networking helps builds learning communities. Buzzetto-More (2012) stated,
"When asked to compare Facebook to the popular Blackboard Learning Management System (LMS) Blackboard was found to be better suited for course announcements and for providing links to course resources; the two systems were rated equal when it came to hosting study sessions, supporting group projects, and facilitating question and answer sessions, and Facebook was considered overwhelmingly superior for community building and facilitating class discussions" (p. 64)
In the future, I think that educators will have to get more and more creative with
learning activities. Educators should continue to use traditional print based literacies in combination with social networking sites (Buzzetto-More, 2012). All the students and colleagues that I have spoken with feel that this will lead to effective learning outcomes. According to Buzzetto-More (2012), “With well-developed learning activities and sound pedagogy in mind, social networking can be used to create learning activities that are highly constructivist” (p. 67). My hope is to continue to learn creative ways to teach the students of the future.
Reference:
Buzzetto-More, N. (2012). Social networking in undergraduate education.
Interdisciplinary Journal of Information, Knowledge,and Management, 7.