social networking tools as learning environments: enhancing or disruptive, and who says so?
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Social networking tools as Social networking tools as learning environments:learning environments:
Enhancing or disruptive, Enhancing or disruptive, and who says so?and who says so?
Susannah DiamondLearning and Teaching Institute
Sheffield Hallam University
Session OutlineSession Outline
● Explain rationale for using social networking tools for student ePortfolios
● Present project findings
● Reflect on theories about ePortfolios as learning environments
● Discuss future use of social networking tools in HE
SHU contextSHU context
● Context of change: ~ Pedagogic initiatives (eg. CETLs)~ Further development of student portal
● Aware of importance of new freely available web applications
● New tools...
http://www.go2web20.net/
Key questionsKey questions
Should we:
● Use free services instead of 'build or buy' approaches?
● Support student-adopted tools at the expense of traditional environments?
● Enhance learning environments with aspects of social networking tools?
Portfolios – an opportunityPortfolios – an opportunity
● Increasing sophistication of approaches, e.g. Elgg, ePET, PebblePAD
● SHU approach to portfolios – for learning, assessment, development AND employability
● A single institution ePortfolio tool wouldmeet resistance
● Portfolios are meant to be student-owned, like the newly available tools
Mapping ePortfolio activitiesMapping ePortfolio activitiesto web 2.0 tools to web 2.0 tools
Tools
Google docs, Zoho, Flickr
Blogger, OurStory
Wikispaces, Gliffy
Facebook, Multiply, Elgg
Elgg, Facebook
Activities
● Storing work
● Reflecting
● Organising work
● Sharing ideas
● Receiving feedback
Portfolios of the futurePortfolios of the future
" The institution should not be in control of the portfolio. As a personal life-learning tool, there is no place for organizational control "
George Siemens, 2004
Wired Portfolios projectWired Portfolios project
Aims to explore:
● Students' current perceptions and experience with social software
● The new opportunities afforded by the tools
● Manageability of learning and assessment of 'student-owned' portfolios
(n=366)Student perceptions surveyStudent perceptions survey
● Online survey in student portal
● 46 responses
● 90% of sample had used websites in an 'active' way
Wired Portfolios Survey, Sheffield Hallam University 2007 (n=46)
(n=366)Student perceptions surveyStudent perceptions survey
Which websites have you used in this active way?
0 20 40
Myspace
You tube
wikipedia
Flickr
Blogger
Other
No of Responses
Wired Portfolios Survey, Sheffield Hallam University 2007 (n=46)
(n=366)Student perceptions surveyStudent perceptions survey
What have you used the sites for?
0 10 20 30 40 50
Making a personal profileAdding comments
Changing website text
Finding similar people
Working collaboratively
Other
No of Responses
Wired Portfolios Survey, Sheffield Hallam University 2007 (n=46)
Student perceptions surveyStudent perceptions survey
n Option
24 I can use the best groupwork tools23 I can use my favourite tools21 I can keep work online when I leave12 Website might disappear when I need
to submit7 Other6 I don't know where to start
What would you think if asked to use these tools in academic contexts?
Wired Portfolios Survey, Sheffield Hallam University 2007 (n=46)
Student perceptions surveyStudent perceptions survey
" no idea really - I don't understand them "
" fantastic - its about time. "
" a waste of time "
What would you think if asked to use these tools in academic contexts?
Wired Portfolios Student Survey, Sheffield Hallam University 2007
Student perceptions surveyStudent perceptions survey
Positive potential● For collaboration, feedback, and networking● Use tools that people are already using● Enhance employability
Concerns raised● Lack of privacy may lead to plagiarism● Students need new skills and guidance● Increase complexity of submission
Student perceptions surveyStudent perceptions survey
0 5 10 15
Don't knowMyspace
A blogDIY
OtherFlickr
VLE
No of Responses
Which online websites or tools would you use to create an online portfolio, and why?
Wired Portfolios Survey, Sheffield Hallam University 2007 (n=46)
Wired Portfolios Survey, Sheffield Hallam University 2007 (n=46)
Student perceptions surveyStudent perceptions survey
Which online websites or tools would you use to create an online portfolio, and why?
Ease of useStoring content
Groupwork
Show learning processPresentation
Validity
Familiarity
Feedback to others
Student perceptions surveyStudent perceptions survey
" i wouldnt use any of the tools listed above, as i dont feel they are appropriate for secure work, i wouldn't mind using a private tool on bb, that myself and my tutors could access and people i chose it to be visible to "
Students have concerns and proposals:
Wired Portfolios Student Survey, Sheffield Hallam University 2007
" Do we know enough about the ways in which young people and students are currently using blogs and other tools? "
" We cannot, for example, assume everyone is happy working in the ‘self-publish’ mode."
Paul Anderson, 2007
Relevant literatureRelevant literature
" The e-portfolio is (or should be) part of a student-owned, student-centred approach to learning which makes it possible for students to actively engage in their learning rather than just be the recipients of information."
Tosh et al., 2005
Relevant literatureRelevant literature
Mapping the data to the toolsMapping the data to the tools
user-centred
active
social
user-friendly
user-controlled
interactiveengaged
democratic
public discoursefeedback
managing identities
user-generated
user-chosen
Mapping the data to the toolsMapping the data to the tools
user-centred
active
social
user-friendly
user-controlled
interactiveengaged
democratic
public discoursefeedback
managing identities
user-generated
user-chosen
Characteristics that students appear to find important
Wired Portfolios: ReflectionsWired Portfolios: Reflections
● Social networking tools are popular with students but they have concerns and proposals for how best to use them in HE contexts
● Next steps will be student focus groups; staff interviews, and student pilots
Student-adopted tools:Student-adopted tools:Institutional perspectivesInstitutional perspectives
● Lack of control (cost, future reliability of services, security of data)
● Resource implications for supporting diversity of applications
● Cultural issues about sharing of work in academic contexts and beyond
Portfolios of the futurePortfolios of the future
"Provide a personalised online learning space for every learner by 2008" Department for Education and Skills
Portfolios of the futurePortfolios of the future
" A PLE is personally constructed and discovered - you don’t “provide a PLE” like you provide the VLE. "
Scott Wilson, 2006
Student portal, Sheffield Hallam University, 2007
● Personal customisation of student portal
Options for institutions: Options for institutions: 1. Business as Usual1. Business as Usual
Options for institutions: Options for institutions: 1. Business as Usual1. Business as Usual
● Bring all staff on board with the VLE
● Invest in and encourage appropriate use of a portfolio system
● Manage student expectations about learning environments
Options for institutions: Options for institutions: 2. Rapid Response2. Rapid Response
Options for institutions: Options for institutions: 2. Rapid Response2. Rapid Response
● Embrace external tools used by students (and staff)
● Invest in support for diversity of applications
● No emphasis on centrally supported portfolio system
Options for institutions: Options for institutions: 3. Proactive Strategy3. Proactive Strategy
Options for institutions: Options for institutions: 3. Proactive Strategy3. Proactive Strategy
● Enhance VLEs with features of Social Networking Tools
● Improve integration between portal and student PLEs
● Guide students about appropriate use of external
What's the best option?What's the best option?
Business as Usual
Proactive Strategy
RapidResponse
ReferencesReferences● Anderson, P. (2007) What is Web 2.0?, Ideas, technologies and implications
for education, JISC Technology and Standards Watchhttp://www.jisc.ac.uk/media/documents/techwatch/tsw0701b.pdf
● Siemens, G. (2004) ePortfolios. elearnspace web blog.http://www.elearnspace.org/Articles/eportfolios.htm
● Tosh D., Light T., Fleming K., Haywood J.(2005) Engagement with Electronic Portfolios: Challenges from the Student Perspective. Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology, 31(3) http://www.cjlt.ca/content/vol31.3/tosh.html
● Wilson, S. (2006) Personal Learning Environment. Presentation at: Pushing the boundaries of the VLE II, Sept. 28th 2006. SURF: Utrecht, Netherlands. http://www.cetis.ac.uk/members/scott/resources/utrecht.ppt
Susannah DiamondLearning and Teaching Institute
Sheffield Hallam University
s.m.diamond@shu.ac.uk
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