A proposed model for assessment of social networking supported learning and its influence on learner behaviour

• Published in: Proceedings of 2012 International Conference on Interactive Mobile and Computer Aided Learning (IMCL) pp. 101 - 108
• Main Authors: Kadry, M. A., El Fadl, A. R. M.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 01.11.2012
• Subjects: Computer aided instruction; Conferences; Educational institutions; Knowledge engineering; knowledge sharing; Learner behaviour; Social learning; Social network; Social network services; Training; Web 2.0
• ISBN: 9781467349246; 1467349240
• DOI: 10.1109/IMCL.2012.6396459

Including social networking in e-learning platforms enhances and empowers collaboration, knowledge sharing, and knowledge capturing. This new technology brings new learners into the culture of the institutions, the new generation of people is very demanding in terms of development and the use of new technologies for everything in their lives, so to foster the loyalty of younger generation they must be provided with the same kind of technologies they are using in their personal lives. Wherefore, social networking is part of the learning and development processes. Problem identification: This study focuses on the assessment of learner behavioural comparative study of social networking tools to illustrate the weak points, and propose a model enhancing these points for supporting social learning. Objectives: This study aims to achieving the following objectives: 1. Assessment of e-learning through social networks. 2. Assessment of learner behavior through social networks. 3. How social network influences the learner behavior. 4. Better understanding of different kinds of social networks and the differences between them. Research methodology: The decomposed technology acceptance model was applied to construct the research model on which the hypotheses were based. A mixed data gathering technique using a questionnaire, interview and observation has been used, A questionnaire was developed to evaluate the use of social networking in teaching and learning and assesses its effectiveness on the sense of community among learners. Interview and observation was used in order to clarify strengths, weakness and limitations of social learning. Findings: It has been noted that there were some interesting answers when asked about how you think social learning, enhance the learner's behaviour and foster the learning process. The answers focused on: Informal learning with other people and through engagement with peers encourages learners' collaboration and the learners because it includes discussions and sharing experience, many-to-many interaction makes it real time learning and leveraging content generated. The findings show the benefits of social learning in facilitating communications as it change by growing of technologies.