Social networking tools have emerged as a powerful learning innovation in recent years. These tools provide a range of interactive and collaborative features that can enhance the learning experience. Here are some ways in which social media tools can be used as a learning innovation:
Collaborative Learning: Social networking technologies provide opportunities for collaborative learning where learners can work together on a project, share resources, and support each other's learning. This promotes teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Peer-to-Peer Learning: Social networking technologies can provide a platform for peer-to-peer learning, where learners can exchange ideas, discuss concepts, and provide feedback to one another.
Mobile Learning: Social media tools can enable mobile learning by providing access to learning resources on mobile devices. This can help in making learning more accessible and convenient.
Microlearning: Social media tools can be used for microlearning, which involves delivering bite-sized learning content that can be consumed quickly and easily. This can help in making learning more efficient and effective.
Twitter can be a powerful tool for teachers to connect, collaborate, and communicate with their students. Teachers can take advantage of Twitter by connecting their students with experts and the most up to date news in the field, by providing a twitter feed in the unit's LMS. I have provided here an example of how you can share a Twitter feed within a Learning Management System.
🎦 Here's a video by Dr Jack Holland, a politics lecturer from Surrey University in the UK discussing how he uses Twitter in Higher Education.
Facebook can be a useful collaboration tool for university courses, as it provides a platform for students to connect, communicate, and collaborate with each other outside of the classroom. Here are some ways to use Facebook as a collaboration tool in a university course:
Create a private Facebook group for the class: This is a great way for students to connect with each other and share ideas. You can use the group to post announcements, reminders, and other important information related to the course.
Facilitate online discussions: Facebook can be used to facilitate online discussions around course content. Students can post questions, comments, and insights, and respond to each other's posts.
Collaborate on group projects: Facebook can be used to facilitate collaboration on group projects. You can create sub-groups for each project, where students can share ideas, delegate tasks, and collaborate on assignments.
Provide peer feedback: Facebook can be used to facilitate peer feedback on assignments. Students can post their work on the group page, and other students can provide feedback and suggestions.
Above is an example of a Facebook group created for Nursing placement students in a University setting.
A screenshot above of a University unit's Teams channel before it is populated with articles, content and discussions.