Human Computer interaction: Effects of social media on e-learning - Research Paper Example

? Human computer interaction: Effects of social media on e-learning Human computer interaction: Effects of social media/networking on e-learning Introduction In today’s world, social media and social networks have created a surge in the sharing of vast amounts of information. While still a situation where people should double-check sources for reliability, those networks which cater to people interested in particular subjects, provide excellent resources where professionals in a certain field can share their knowledge with others, including answering questions. For students, this can be invaluable in finding information other than just inside their textbook and to also hear different versions, or sides, about how things are done and what the latest advances are in an area of interest (Signorelli, 2009). Additionally, college book publishers create networks for students as part of a college course which allows students to access supplementary information, such as the latest research reports and studies conducted by professional members of the field those students are currently studying. Some of these websites are only accessed by paying students in the course. Other sites are open to the public and can be researched 24/7. Several of these sites are the Smart History.org, which is a free online art history collaboration of information; the University of North Texas Next Generation Education project, which is for students and faculty only; and connecting with other social media, such as Flickr to support the use of photography and images (Signorelli, 2009). What is also key about the course networks is that teachers are available for emails and forum chats, allowing for a faster response to student problems that might arise in homework or a project. This online interaction makes it a valuable tool for advancing communications between professors and students, thus enhancing the learning process to a new level not seen before. (Signorelli, 2009). Literature Review Software companies, such as Adobe, Microsoft and IBM, have provided simplified online videos for training purposes, which are generally free to the public, or for those who have purchased one or more products from a company (EP, 2013). Adobe, for example, provides numerous videos series for each of its programs, most notably for the Creative Cloud, which has been a huge success in gaining a world-wide membership. Both IBM and Microsoft offer somewhat similar training, but there are also other networks out there created by independent hard-core users of these programs which are equally as good, and all are free, except for a few that might require some type of subscription (EP, 2013). This training format has now translated well into the educational realm where nearly every educational institution is using some form of social networking infrastructure for online education courses (Tinti-Kane, 2013). The most used component is videos and blogs, along with wikis, which are used for marketing and educational formats of information dissemination. For many teachers, social media, per se, is used more for personal communications and is only now moving more into educational use. Two web communities being utilized more besides YouTube are EduTube.org and TeacherTube.com (Tinti-Kane, 2013). Benefits The benefits, obviously, are that anyone can access these training videos and courses, and work through them to add on more specific skills which make a person more marketable when trying to find another job. If a person does not have Internet, social media and applicable software skills, then getting a quality job may be quite out of reach. Consequently, those who are in educational services with accompanying online training, will benefit the most in being able to train online instead of having to drive to a classroom and access the materials there in class. The online situation provides a training capability which is 24/7, accessible at will and, when personal schedules allow, even at 3 a.m. after work (Gardner, 2006). This also means that for many, who do not have the time to physically attend higher education classes in order to get a degree, they can pursue the degree online when personal schedules allow it. In reality, there is no excuse to not get a good education and build business skills, if the personal will is there (Gardner, 2006). An e-learning situation has many parts to it, much like the flower and petals diagram shown below. Without one or more components or petals, there can be a chance of failure. A flower petal framework (non-hierachical) for e-Learning practices and skills Fig. (Gardner, 2006, 3) However, the application is such that only a few petals may be pulled first, as dictated by the learning materials and criteria for any one project. The rest fit in along the way at other points, or are a sub-conscious part, unseen in the background during the process of learning. The Down Side Not all people are geared to being educated in an online environment and this can create some problems. For those who need to sit in front of an actual professor in order to learn something, completion of work in an online environment only, presents some challenges (Gardner, 2006). It may be a matter of personal motivation which requires being in a group that has the same goals, and a need to socialize face-to-face with others and exchange ideas on the spot, as opposed to being secluded in a room somewhere with no one to talk with. The other down side of social networks is that some are closed to the public and require a subscription, usually a paid one, or else a guest status is applied and individual research papers are on a purchase-only basis. Pricing can be roughly $25 to $35 for a scholarly paper. However, there are far more open access site now than even a year ago. Some journals are making their sites free to the general public in an effort to encourage not only students and professors, but those who are independent researchers in a number of fields (Gardner, 2006). For those who are challenged in using computers and different software programs, e-learning can be a real problem. However, based on the needs of the person in looking for a job at some point, having computer and software skills in basic applications, is a must-have component of work skills in order to even be considered for just about any job today. It is well-worth the struggle to overcome one’s fears about having to work on computers and in different software programs and working in social networks and social media while in an educational program, can help overcome these issues over time. Teachers also have concerns too with integrity of submission, privacy concerns, methods of grading and assessment, lack of integration with other learning systems and also a lack of institutional support (Tinti-Kane, 2013). There are also teachers who just do not want to change their teaching styles either, preferring the old tried and true way of in-class training only. The concept of e-learning using social media Social media websites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and others, present unique opportunities for those who want to get in touch with people who are also interested in the same things the student would be studying. Facebook allows for invitation-only groups which teachers can set up for the student community. Twitter is also another way for sending messages although a bit less functional than Facebook for interaction (Tinti-Kane, 2013). LinkedIn, while more of a business connection site, has thousands of business connections available for those students who are seeking connections in the same field and to find out about jobs. Aside from making contacts in the field, LinkedIn has numerous groups and forums created by professional for just about every business subject one can think of. Market researchers, advertising copywriters, realtors, engineers, and many other fields, have forum or group sign-up buttons which require the group monitor to approve the new member. In this area, many students can then ask questions of professionals who will be happy to provide their expertise in the field. Skype, an online video phone and conferencing tool, is an outstanding way to communicate with groups of people while conducting lectures. Materials can be sent to participants for initial review and then the video face-to-face conference can take place where a lecture can be given, even while the lecturer is thousands of miles away. Q & A sessions are real time and it is an excellent way to utilize field professionals when a department has a very small budget and cannot afford to bring in a professional lecturer (Blankenship, 2010). Conferencing companies, such as Blackboard, Webex, GoTo Meeting and Adobe Connect Pro, also offer presentation capabilities which can be used for special educational lectures as well. Other social media websites which can also engage in scholarly venues are SlideRocket, Slide Share and Zoho Show. Whatever the method used in conjunction with social media or networks, this allows teachers to see where students have questions and to get those answered quickly and more efficiently (Ghafoor, & Martin, 2012). The important thing is that professors can utilize many excellent tools on the market to create their own teaching materials as well, thus adding a more personalized and informative touch to the direction of their training goals. The college textbook market has moved into this market with options to extend training tools as additional supplements to chosen textbooks, providing a certain mix-and-match effect. What is also an important component of online training materials is the ability to link, within online training materials, to other websites which provide more in-depth information on an item of interest that students want to know more about than what is given in the training. Methodology and research design The methodology was to review a few journals articles, several news expositions on latest trends, and to review the latest information in books now out on the market. As e-learning is a relatively new aspect of education within the last decade, there is not a whole lot of professional research out, but it is certain to grow rapidly in the next few years. This has been a research project conducted through literature review of scholarly research papers, books and trade news articles (Bordens, & Abbott, 1988). Key words and phrases used were the following: e-learning effects on the educational process, e-learning tools, online education, online conferencing, educational social media websites, online research studies and social media in education. Analysis and survey There was not a survey done for this project but analysis done was more on determining the information available, who presented the information, such as professionals in the field, age of the sources and to review the results of any research done with students and professors within the last decade. As technology and social media/networks are moving forward very quickly, even on a daily basis, what is new today, is commonplace by tomorrow. Conclusion In researching and completing this brief paper, the expansion of online instruction through various social media and network components, have provided students with far more knowledge about what they are learning rather than just using one textbook to learn a limited amount of information. Future research should examine new technologies used and the methods and designs used for creating online educational learning systems and continue to put out results so others can learn how to better design effective programs for the future. Resources Aune, S.P. (2009). 12 top notch online presentation tools. Sitepoint online. Retrieved from < http://www.sitepoint.com/online-presentation-tools/> Blankenship, M. (2010). How social media can and should impact higher education. Hispanic Outlook. (November 29, 2010). Retrieved from Bordens, K.S., & Abbott, B.B. (1988). Research designs and methods: A process approach. Mountain View, CA :Mayfield Publishing Company. Druart, T. (2013). What role does social media have in education? Navigator Online. Retrieved from < http://navigator.compasslearning.com/technology/social-media-in-education/> EP. (2013). Online Office Systems Training and Education Information. Educational Portal Online. Retrieved from Gardner, J.R., & Holmes, B. (2006). E-learning concepts and practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE publications, ltd. Ghafoor, M., & Martin, T. (2012). Six ways social media technologies can accelerate large-scale change. Accenture online. Retrieved from Jenkins, H. (2007). Confronting the challenges of participatory culture – media education for the 21st century (part 2). Nordic Journal of Digital Literacy, 2. Retrieved from < http://www.idunn.no/ts/dk/2007/02/confronting_the_challenges_ofparticipatoryculture_-_media_education_for_the?languageId=2> Kharback, M. (2012). Teacher’s comprehensive guide to the use of social networking in education, part one. Educational Technology and Mobile Learning Online. Retrieved from < http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2012/05/teachers-comprehensive-guide-to-use-of.html> Mitchell, M., & Jolley, J. (1996). Research design explained. (3rd ed.). Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt Brace College Publishers Moran, M., Seaman, J., & Tinti-Kane, H. (2011). Teaching, learning, and sharing: How today’s higher education faculty use social media. Babson Survey Research Group. Eric Online. Retrieved from < http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/search/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED535130&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED535130> Rocco, S. (2013). 5 reasons for social media communication in education. Ed Social Media Online. Retrieved from < http://www.edsocialmedia.com/2013/01/5-reasons-for-social-media-communication-in-education/> Signorelli, P. (2009). Revolutionizing e-learning: Innovation through social networking tools. (October 12, 2009). Learning Solutions Magazine Online. Retrieved from < http://www.learningsolutionsmag.com/articles/128/revolutionizing-e-learning-innovation-through-social-networking-tools> Silverman, M. (2012). How higher education uses social media [Infographic]. Mashable Online. Retrieved from < http://mashable.com/2012/02/03/higher-education-social-media/> Syme, C. (2013). Do we need social media in schools now? Social Media Today Online, Retrieved from < http://socialmediatoday.com/chrissyme/1176146/do-we-need-social-media-education-schools-now> Tinti-Kane, H. (2013). Overcoming hurdles to social media in education. Educause review online. Retrieved from < http://www.educause.edu/ero/article/overcoming-hurdles-social-media-education> Treaque, P. (2013). How can social media be used in education? Socialnomics Online. Retrieved from < http://www.socialnomics.net/2013/03/11/how-can-social-media-be-used-in-education/> Read More