Social Networking Sites Good for Learning
A recent research effort from scholars at the University of Minnesota concludes that social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook do have a positive effect on learning and can foster creativity:
The study found that, of the students observed, 94 percent used the Internet, 82 percent go online at home and 77 percent had a profile on a social networking site. When asked what they learn from using social networking sites, the students listed technology skills as the top lesson, followed by creativity, being open to new or diverse views and communication skills.
The study supports findings by teachers using Web 2.0 technologies in class who report that often students do not know how to use social media for educational purposes:
Interestingly, researchers found that very few students in the study were actually aware of the academic and professional networking opportunities that the Web sites provide. Making this opportunity more known to students, Greenhow said, is just one way that educators can work with students and their experiences on social networking sites.
The report goes on to cite that findings of a “digital divide” between low-income students and others might be overstated:
The study also goes against previous research from Pew in 2005 that suggests a “digital divide” where low-income students are technologically impoverished. That study found that Internet usage of teenagers from families earning $30,000 or below was limited to 73 percent, which is 21 percentage points below what the U of M research shows.
Further information on the findings can be found here.
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