Research review:
Learning Environments and Social Media: Friends or Opponents
Presented at GMU2011 by
Afua Gyasi, Instructional Design and Project Manager (M.Ed. Instructional Technology, GMU) & Shannon Wzientek, Instructional Designer, BOMI International (MA in ISD candidate, UM)
Beginners Guide to TikTok for Search - Rachel Pearson - We are Tilt __ Bright...
Gmu2011 social mediaformallearning
1. Social Media for Formal Learning Review by Ilona Lantos, 2011 Learning Environments and Social Media: Friends or OpponentsAfua Gyasi, Instructional Design and Project Manager (M.Ed. Instructional Technology, GMU)& Shannon Wzientek, Instructional Designer, BOMI International (MA in ISD candidate, UM)
4. Conclusions Social media can support and enhance formal learning. Clear instructions are important. Facilitation is key.
5. Thoughts Beginner (CD?): familiar tools more structure multimedia Advanced (socmed?): higher order tasks facilitation
Hinweis der Redaktion
A study was conducted by two ISD professionals of BOMI International on whether SM can be used for formal learning. There were two groups of 10 participants. One group received the training on a CD the other used a social networking site, Social Go. The subject of the training was identical, isd models. Half of each group had some ISD background, the other half was new to the topic. Participants were expected to be familiar with their learning tool. At the end of the experiment, participants had to fill out a survey.
The survey data was analized by a word cloud technique, comments were looked at and answers were compiled in bar charts.The CD group frequently used words, such as BACKWARD, MODEL, DESIGN, which tells us that the group must have learned the subject matter. The other group used words, such as VIDEO, MATERIAL, showing that their focus was more on the social media tools, rather than on the subject. CD group found learning EASY, while the social group found it DIFFICULT.Comments regarding the instructional format revealed that the experienced participants in the CD group wanted to have activities other than just quizzes while the inexperienced ones wanted more multimedia. The experienced social group was interested in what challenges other peers have in the profession and wanted more facilitation, while the inexperienced ones wanted set goals and quizzes. To the question of how knowledgeable they view themselves on the trained content, most of the CD participants felt strongly knowledgeable while the social group felt knowledgeable to a lesser degree. The CD group felt they gained knowledge beyond the models taught while the social group did not.
Beginner learners might best benefit from a structured learning environment (clear instructions, goals, quizzes) delivered on an already familiar and easy to use platform such as a CD. Unfamiliar platform is distracting. They also expect the use of multimedia in their learning program.Advanced learners need more than just quizzes to test their learning. They might benefit from a social learning environment where they can learn from their peers, but appropriate facilitation is needed.
