social networking in second language learning
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Social Networking in Second Language Learning
The PLE Conference
11th-13th July 2011 Southampton
Maria Luisa Malerba Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)Internet Interdisciplinary Institute (IN3)
Learning in the current digital scenario
• Learner Generated Content (Alshehri, 2007)• Invisible Learning (Cobo, 2010)• Informal Learning (Cross, 2007)• Lifelong Learning (Colardyn, 2002)
Novice Worker Mature Worker Senior Worker
Directed Self-Directed Helping Others
Class Discovery Coaching
Course Searching/search engine
Mentoring
Teacher Trial-and-error Storytelling
Test Collaborating Giving feedback
Grades Asking Nurturing
Curriculum Skimming Modelling
Listening Observing Reflecting
(Cross, 2006:82)
From Formal to Informal Learning
FEATURES OBJECTIVESIt is multifaceted, complex, chaotic and requires a plurality of opinions, ideas, inputs
Up-to-date knowledge. What is incorrect can be corrected through a bottom-up process
Learning is "to come to know" and is an ongoing process
Make choices and decisions is learning
Technology helps learning Ability to identify patterns and connections (intelligere) developing critical skills
Networks contain knowledge Responsibility and independence to discover and know more is more important than what you currently know
Learning in the Web 2.0 Era
(Chatti, 2007)
Connectivism is the new learning theory of the digital age. According to it, learning takes root in a system of bottom-up interconnections that foster the knowledge flow (Siemens, 2004)
An important learning skill today is to “synthetize and recognize connections and patterns”
(Siemens, 2004:3)
Under the conceptual framework of the connectivist paradigm, where learning is a process of forming connections among nodes, MOTIVATION is what determines connections and at the same time is enhanced by being receptive to these connections. (Siemens, 2005)
Social Network Sites (SNS)
• Participatory• Immediate • Engaging the community• Supporting group
identity• Using Web 2.0 tools
Social Networks are Communities of Practices (CoP) where spontaneous relations, conversations and behaviors arise among people who share common interests and topics and whose learning motivation is spontaneous.
Social networking favors self-narrative and conversational practices and, as a consequence, self-reflection and meta-cognitive skills. (Pettenati & Ranieri, 2006).
Social Networks are
Personal Learning Environments (PLEs) (Siemens, 2006; McLoughlin & Lee, 2007)
Monochronic Learning Polychronic Learning
One thing at a time Multiple things at once
Adhere to plans Adapt to environment
Linearity Non-linearity
Commitment to task Commitment to relationships
Repetition and memorization Problem solving and creativity
Homogenic Heterogenic
Seeking one right way to do things Acknowledging multiple paths
Often out of context Highly contextual
Designed approach Emergent approach
Synchronous communication Asynchronous communication
VLE/LMS Social Software/PLE
Information technology Interaction technology
Selecting tools based on design Selecting tools based on process
Focus on outcome Focus on process
(Arina, 2007:2)
My Research Deals with:
• Informal Learning• Second Language (L2)Learning• Social Network Sites’ (SNS) communities as PLEs
(Halvorsen, 2009; McBride, 2009; Roblyer, 2010; McCarty, 2009; Kelley, 2010;)
Objectives
• To map out the best cases that characterize this scenario where informal L2 learning takes place in online SNS for language learning;
• To examine the construction of opportunities for L2 use and L2 learning and how this use is socially and contextually constructed and negotiated;
• To investigate on the potential sustainability and effectiveness of online social networks for long-term learning outcomes;
• To analyze affordances and constraints of current social network sites for L2 learning;
• To design guidelines in order to suggest how to improve these online SNSs environments for L2 learning under the technical and the pedagogical point of view.
Research Questions
1. What opportunities for L2 use and L2 learning occur in the learners’ natural conversations on their online social networks and what factors contribute to the characteristics of these opportunities?
2. What are the affordances and constraints of online social networks in relation to their potential sustainability and effectiveness for long-term learning outcomes?
Use of a cross-methodological approach
Exploration of the active L2 communities present in online SNS
Identification of the best cases according to given criteria:Pedagogical, socio-interactional, environmental and technical usability issues
Selection of: Livemocha, Busuu
• Virtual Ethnography in the framework of social-constructivism, interpretative paradigm
• Participant observation of the community• Survey submission • Social Network Analysis (SNA) Tools: Net-Map (pen-paper)VennMaker (digital)• Conversational analysis (CA)
Longitudinal micro-analysis of the learner discourse with network interactants (macro-context)
• Semi-structured in-depth interviews
Interpretation and synthesis
• Combination, comparison and interpretation of the results
• Drawing conclusions
• Preparation of guidelines
Ethical issues
• Restrictive terms of contract• To get informed consent• To cloak learners’ identities• Citing and crediting (Kozinets, 2010)
Missteps and blind spots
• In order to gain consent, I will influence in some way my research• Learners will be aware of the researcher’s presence. I expect resistance to
being controlled, interviewed and recorded
Expectations
• To do a little step towards a better understanding of PLEs• To put learners into the condition of taking the most in terms
of autonomy• To address to platform designers suggesting how to address
the quality of interaction and the opportunity to learner in a personal and independent way
• To make an eventual little contribution to more appealing formal activities for language learners
QUESTION
How suitable is a mixed questionnaire (both open-ended and closed-ended items) to the exploratory
approach of my research?
Maria Luisa Malerba Universitat Oberta de Catalunya
(UOC)Internet Interdisciplinary Institute
(IN3)