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Social media learning
Ubiquitous learning provides a new experience for learners to access learning beyond the confined space of traditional classrooms and periods of a timetable. This form of learning breaks spatial and temporal confinements, produces habits of mind appropriate to our times and produces lifelong learners able to learn and to share knowledge throughout their lives, in all contexts, and grounded in those contexts.
The use of social media platforms for learners to engage and challenge paradigms is an example of ubiquitous learning. Social media platforms allow users to explore concepts, theories, events and participate in discussions etc. This form of learning can be accessed by more people and most importantly, isn't confined by spatial-temporal dimensions. The process of learning becomes personal and self-directed. Users may also create various networks to enhance the learning experience.
Furthermore, teachers in traditional classrooms use sporadic educational techniques, but students seem to be more inquisitive and have access to more informal techniques of learning through the social media. A report written by Jin Mao on social media learning indicated that students generally show positive attitudes towards the use of social media in education. The report further suggested that social media can effectively use learning tools to integrate and adjust students’ prior affordances, therefore, proving the fact that ubiquitous learning can enhance the process of learning among students. An example may include the use of whatsapp for delivering recorded tutorials. This platform provides opportunities for discussions, self-directed learning and better use of technology.
However, the disadvantages of this type of learning is the that avid social media users may digress from learning very easily. The process of learning will break. Here, the problem of not making proper use of technology while adapting educational technologies is joined with a lack of commitment among learners.Therefore, access to social-media learning requires a sense of responsibility and concentration.
Bibliography:
(Mao, 2014). 'Social media for learning: A mixed methods study on high school students’ technology affordances and perspect
@Mariam Hadi,
I agree that social media is a powerful learning tool, especially for teenagers. It is however such a tricky platform to control from a teachers point of view. That role of the teacher moves towards a 'caretaker' of the interactions and discussions. Also, there are a few of our students who do not have access to any form of digital technology - whether it be a computer, cellphone or WiFi. This creates a gap that we hoped to close by offering the less fortunate students of our community the opportunity to sit in our class with the aid of bursaries and sponsorships.
@Mariam Hadi,
I agree that social media is a powerful learning tool, especially for teenagers. It is however such a tricky platform to control from a teachers point of view. That role of the teacher moves towards a 'caretaker' of the interactions and discussions. Also, there are a few of our students who do not have access to any form of digital technology - whether it be a computer, cellphone or WiFi. This creates a gap that we hoped to close by offering the less fortunate students of our community the opportunity to sit in our class with the aid of bursaries and sponsorships.
@Mariam Hadi, thanks for your post!
One issue I've encountered with social media in education is the echo chamber effect, wherein students follow media outlets that align with their existing points of view and are not exposed to opposing views. I'm interested to hear what you think, if you have seen this in your experience or if there may be a way to counteract this effect.