Benefits for students:
Development of communication skills
Increased skill in technology
Increasede xposure to varied views
Increased talent to work on group projects
Students can develop an optimistic image of themselves
by putting best qualities out there
Many students already use these forms of technology,
so they may be more engaged in learning if they utilize it.
For Teachers:
Teachers can give other teachers and students bookmarks to your desired
or most used websites for lessons or problems for practice by using
social networking and social bookmarking. By posting in blogs or other
forms of writing they can also give out assignment using social networking.
Teachers are relying more and more on social networking sites to assist
their students and fellow teachers in receiving important details for
schoolwork or other events that are going on.
Benefits for Teachers
and Schools
Increased access to resources
Collaborate with other teachers
Exchange lesson plans and information
Can reach parents who are incapable to come to school
Can form partnerships with schools in other states
or countries
Cheap and effective way to convey details to parents
and get word out about school and events. [15; 23]
There are also some significant benefits of using
social nets and technology in language learning, which were mentioned
in Blend Learning by Pete Sharma & Barney Barret.
One of the great benefits relates to the opportunities
afforded by CMC (computer-mediated communication). The computer is used
to enable communication between two groups (teacher and learner, for
instance) separated by time, distance or both. Supporting a course with
technology can allow learners and teacher more flexibility in both time
and place. Between classes, learners can access their materials whenever
they want to. For example, EAP learners who take poor lecture notes
can access the tutors’ handouts on the VLE; this can have a dramatic
effect on their revision, enabling them to complete their notes at a
later date.
The use of technology outside the language classroom
can make learners more autonomous. One key feature of using technology
in learning is that it allows language practice and study away from
the confines of the classroom.
As learners become used to evaluating and selecting
materials, they are able to plan out their own of web-based materials
in their own time. This helps them to become independent
learners.
The use of social networks can be time saving. Posting
course materials online for learners to access can save the teacher
the time and expense of photocopying. [9]In the second part of my course
paper I will show some social nets which have educational benefits for
learners and teachers in the process of learning and teaching foreign
language
2 Main techniques and types using
social nets for learning foreign language
Before talking about main types and techniques of
social nets, it would be useful to mention major seven categories of
social nets.
Seven Major Social Network Categories
1. Social Connections
Keeping in touch with friends and family members is one of the greatest
benefits of social networking. The most widely-used websites for building
social connections online - Facebook, Twitter, Google, MySpace etc.
2. Multimedia Sharing
Social networking makes it easy to share video and photography content
online. Some of the most popular sites for multimedia sharing – YouTube,
Flickr, Picasa
3. Professional
Professional social networks are designed to provide opportunities
for career-related growth. Some of these types of networks provide a
general forum for professionals to connect, while others are focused
on specific occupations or interests. A few examples of professional
social networks are LinkedIn, Classroom 2.0and Nurse Connect
4. Informational
Informational communities are made up of people seeking answers to
everyday problems. For example, when you are thinking about starting
a home improvement project or want to learn how to go green at home,
you may perform a web search and discover countless blogs, websites,
and forums filled with people who are looking for the same kind of information.
For example: Super Green Me ,HGTV Discussion Forums, Do-It-Yourself
Community:
5. Educational
Educational networks are where many students go in order to collaborate
with other students on academic projects, to conduct research for school,
or to interact with professors and teachers via blogs and classroom
forums. Educational social networks
are becoming extremely popular within the educational system today. Some
examples of such educational social networks are - The Student Room,
The Math Forum, ePALS School Blog
6. Hobbies
One of the most popular reasons many people use the Internet is to
conduct research on their favorite projects or topics of interest related
to personal hobbies. When people find a website based on their favorite
hobby, they discover a whole community of people from around the world
who share the same passion for those interests. This is what lies at
the heart of what makes social networks work, and this is why social
networks that are focused on hobbies are some of the most popular. A
few examples of hobby-focused social networking sites include: Oh My
Bloom, My Place at Scrapbook.com, Sport Shouting
7. Academic
Academic researchers who want to share their research and review results
achieved by colleagues may find academic-specific social networking
to be quite valuable. A few of the most popular online communities for
academics are:Academia.edu, Connotea Collaborative Research.
These are just a few examples of the many opportunities to engage
in dialog via social media websites. The fact that there are so many
ways to connect with like-minded individuals online can be very exciting
and beneficial, but it's essential to proceed with caution. We should
keep in mind that not everyone who shows up on a social media website
is who he or she claims to be. Exercise caution and closely guard your
personal information any time you engage in social networking activities
regardless of what kind of social utility you are using. [18; 42]
2.1 The main techniques of using
social nets
As it nearly new phenomenon, we have different questions
when we come to teaching or learning foreign languages through social
nets. What are the best ways to use social
nets in learning foreign language? Which tips and techniques should
teacher know?
So, traditional teaching techniques,
based mainly on a teacher explaining a topic and students taking notes, may still
think about other moments in teaching and learning foreign language
through social nets. Firstly, we should know ways of using social media,
especially social networks in the classroom. Some examples of use of
using social media in learning can also be helpful for teachers. Before
using main techniques teachers should engage students on social activities,
it provides getting the best results from learning through social activities.
All these moments are closely related to each other, sometimes it can
be difficult distinguish them. But it does not deprive them from their
importance, significance in the process of learning and teaching foreign
languages through social nets.
2.2 Types of social nets for learning
foreign languages
2.2.1 Different social nets designed
to help learn and teach foreign language
When most people think of social networks, they think
of Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, or similar sites, but there are many
other types of social networks popping up on the web. Some of the fastest
growing networks are designed specifically for education. These sites
allow people to learn in a social context through discussion, file sharing,
and collaboration.
Furthermore, 69% of learners around the world said
that they learned most effectively when they were socializing informally
This result suggests that a lot of students learn best from their friends
and family. Perhaps that is not so surprising. The things we learn from
our loved ones are often more immediately relevant to our lives than
what we learn from a teacher in a classroom. Also, when we are relaxed
(such as when we are at home or in a café), then we are more open to
suggestions and new ideas.
Does that mean teachers should start taking their
students to cafés more? No, of course not. However, a lot of teachers
take their students outside of the classroom once a term to try and
create a different experience, atmosphere and dynamic for their teaching
and learning.
There are other implications from the result above.
For example, teachers might find they are more successful if they:
- organize group work in their classes
- make the exercises they give their students fun,
since students are motivated when they are having fun
- give their students work to do outside of the formal
setting of the classroom
- take on the role of 'facilitator' rather than the role
of 'giver-of-knowledge'.
As it was mentioned above, the number of educational
social nets is increasing every day. From the wide choice of social
nets I have chosen the most impressive and special. They offer different
ways of improving language learning skills and also, quite good and
interesting experience for teachers and students.
between 13 and 17 years old can make
of our faculty. By using this network we are able
to keep in touch with our teachers and group mates, to find necessary
materials or lectures, to see our progress, to send our works to teachers
and save time.
What is edmodo?
Free social learning network for teachers, students,
schools, and districts.
Provides a safe and easy way to:
- Connect
- Exchangeideas
- Sharecontent
- Access homework, grades, and school notices
No worries about security
• Use cps.edmodo.com instead of www.edmodo.com
• No private info from students
• Students join by invitation from teacher only
• Teacher has full management control
• Students cannot directly message each other
• All messages and communications are archived
The Teachers’
Perspective
Edmodo describes itself as “Secure social learning network for teachers and students“. They prove it by providing two types of buttons
that you can choose: “I’m a Student” and “I’m a Teacher“.
Picture 3
The sign up window looks ordinary
with all the usual fields to fill. But later you
will see that the student’s version
has a distinctive difference
Picture 5
The update area is “adjusted” as a tool to send
Notes, Alerts, Assignments, and Polls to fellow students or other teachers.
Picture 6
If you are a teacher, you’ll appreciate
the ability to easily send assignments. Just write down the title, description,
due date and you are ready to go. You can add files, links, or refer
some materials from the library. Choose the recipients before clicking
the “Send” button. They could be other teachers
in your network, or students from your study group.
Picture
7
Teachers also have the privilege
to create groups. Aside from “Grade” (e.g.: Kindergarten, 9th, 12th,
Higher Education) and “Subject Area” (e.g.: language learning, Mathematics,
Creative Arts, Computer Technology), the groups can also be based on
the classes that you teach, the difference of interest among students,
levels of comprehension of a topic, etc.
Picture 8
Then your status will be updated
with the group that you’ve just created. One important thing that
you should pay attention to is the access code of the group. You should
inform your students about the code, because they won’t be able to
join the group without it.
Picture 9
At the lower
part of the home screen, you will find a few basic things that you should
complete to make your account “fully functional”.
Picture 10
The Students’
Perspective
If you are a student, the registration
process is a little bit different. Other than your basic personal information,
you’ll also need the group code that you are about to join. This is
the code that your teacher will get when they create the group.
Picture 11
After logging in, you’ll find a
list of groups that you’ve joined right under your avatar. If you
want to join other groups, have the access code ready and click the Join” button.
Picture 12
Students can be a member of different
groups at the same time. All folders, materials, progress, posts, members
of group have clear division.
There are links to “Calendar“, “Grades” and “Library” on the top of the page. While
you could easily guess what you would find inside the first two, the
third one is a bit unique. Library is the place where you can find all
the files and links sent to you or any of your groups.
Picture 13
You could also add files to your
library. This is a good place to store all of the materials related
to your study.
Picture 14
Another place that you might want
to visit is the “Settings“. Here’s the place to complete
your personal information, and change your picture. You can choose one
of the available images as your picture or you can upload your own.
Picture 15