The article, Social Networking in Undergraduate Education, written by Nicole A Buzzetto-More provided an interesting insight on the use of social networking for educational purposes. Its focus was on the differences of Facebook as the learning tool as opposed to the Blackboard Learning Management System. I found the results and conclusions of the paper to be interesting but had a difficult time relating this situation to my own learning experiences thus far. I have never had the experience of using Facebook or any other social media coupled with a class, although I did have a class or two that used the Blackboard system in my undergraduate studies. The manner in which Blackboard was used by the professor and the class does not sound similar to the situation in the paper where there were postings and such to facilitate discussion. It sounds as though the manner in which I experienced the Blackboard system was not to its fullest capabilities and again makes it difficult to relate to the students discussed in the paper. Unfortunately, I don’t know of any other students that have shared experiences related to this with me either.
In the paper, Buzzetto-More (2012) discussed that social learning communities can help establish “groups of people who share an interest in the learning process, learn both with as well as from each other, and develop a supportive atmosphere to encourage success among members” (p. 66). The differentiating factor here for me to think of learning through social networking, is the piece that refers to individuals learning from each other. I think that in a traditional setting where there is little to no use of social media as a learning tool; learning from each other would happen less often. This class has opened my eyes to the possible changes in learning and how it can be beneficial in several aspects. I found this paper intriguing and it further peaks my interest in what I will gain from this course.
References
Buzzetto-More, N. A. (2012). Social networking in undergraduate education. Interdisciplinary Journal of Information, Knowledge, and Management: Special Section on Social Networking, Teaching, and Learning, 63-90.
In the paper, Buzzetto-More (2012) discussed that social learning communities can help establish “groups of people who share an interest in the learning process, learn both with as well as from each other, and develop a supportive atmosphere to encourage success among members” (p. 66). The differentiating factor here for me to think of learning through social networking, is the piece that refers to individuals learning from each other. I think that in a traditional setting where there is little to no use of social media as a learning tool; learning from each other would happen less often. This class has opened my eyes to the possible changes in learning and how it can be beneficial in several aspects. I found this paper intriguing and it further peaks my interest in what I will gain from this course.
References
Buzzetto-More, N. A. (2012). Social networking in undergraduate education. Interdisciplinary Journal of Information, Knowledge, and Management: Special Section on Social Networking, Teaching, and Learning, 63-90.