Social networking sites, web 2.0 technologies and e-learning

Abstract

The purpose of this research study is to attain an understanding of the use of social networking sites and Web 2.0 technologies by computing students for e-learning.

Social networking sites have mostly been accepted by university students, and such sites are influencing many aspects of university student life. E-learning is also increasing in the tertiary industry, which is changing the way students learn and teachers instruct. In this thesis, the researcher has investigated attitudes, behaviours and knowledge of computing students towards the use of social networking sites in e-learning. Data has been collected from online survey and interviews, and analyzed to discover the current tendencies for the use of social networking sites in e-learning by computing students. In this research, an understanding of how social networking sites are being used in e-learning, why this group of students use these sites and how they use these sites is sought. Analysis and discussions in this research is aimed at answering eight research questions:

1. What social networking sites are used by computing students? 2. What is the history development status and acceptance of social networking sites? 3. What is the history development status and acceptance of e-learning? 4. What is the current status of the use of social networking sites in e-learning? 5. What are the attitudes of computing students in relation to the use of social networking sites for e-learning? 6. How will these factors affect the use of social networking sites for e-learning on campus? 7. What features of social networking sites and Web 2.0 technologies facilitate e-learning? 8. What is the perception of computing students about the future use of social networking tools in e-learning? After investigation and doing some research, the researcher found that FaceBook is the most popular social networking site that computing students use it for e-learning to achieve their study goal.