Gwendolyn,
social network sites can be a detriment & they can also provide a great deal of value for networking.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Social networks have a heavy influence on Gen Y students. Nowadays, people are news gathering, researching and posting information on these sites. Facebook, twitter and gossip sites are just a few places where students are going to gain knowledge of current and historical events.
Social networks influence the learning of Gen Y students by allowing them to maintain in contact with outside sources, and in turn, use these sources as resources of information. The social networks actually enhance their learning processes by allowing them to connect with their peers. This would permit them to discuss materials that are being presented to them in the classroom and see things from a different point of view.
Dr. Hassler
Mwerner,
and this provides us, as instructors, a great opportunity to introduce them to these critical thinking skills & help them to see why they are so important.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
It allows for better communitcation and improves ease of access to certain areas.
I think the social aspect of todays technology has harmed student learning as all GEN Y students are concerned about is their friends, and social issues, and not learning much less developing critical thinking skills.
Kathryn,
this is a great point to consider. These tools help them connect & gather important & helpful information.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Patti,
yes, the social network sites can provide a great way to network & interact with professionals in their fields.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
By setting up Facebook Pages or LinkedIn Page, a student can find revelant information that can help them in finding or connecting to people that can advise them on their chosen career.
I have found that using social networks with Gen Y students is great way to stay in touch and find out about student having troubles. As far as influencing learning, I haven't used that method.
Social networks can help students lower the walls of a classroom and reach out to other students for learning and experience.
I think that having a network beyond the classroom can help students understand the global perspective better.
Thanks!
Ward
Social networks help student reach out and connect with other students who are not "in the classroom" and interact with them. This helps lower the walls and allows students to reach out.
Thanks!
Ward
I completely agree with this statement. Networking is key and it´s what we discuss with them throughout their time here at school. Teaching them to network in a professional environment puts money in their pockets!
I personally do not use social network sites, but my students are always on them. They talk with clinical site representatives and previous students to stay up in the field.
these networks allow easy access to endless amount of info,tech, people and anything they want.
Social networks are very influential over this generations progressive day to day life. They just can't seem to function without checking text, gemail,facebook - that is connected to their phone devices or pentrast and the major player tweeting. Very time consuming and soiclizing.
the right social network can be beneficial. The right network can lead to great connections in any business endeavor and get you ahead by getting you meeting the right people. When you meet people actually working in your industry, you can learn a lot, maybe even take on an internship to get some hands on experience. But there is a downside to the social networking phenomenon. It can be very addictive and distracting. Many students can't go more than a couple of hours while wondering what friends or family members have posted, and can lead to a distraction while trying to focus on a lecture.
Good and bad, useful and distracting, it's up to the instructors to steer their students in the right direction of social networking.
social networking is good in the class if youi can keep the students on task and not going of on personal subjects
Social networks seem to hinder learning because students tend to be more focused on the internet traffic than actually class. I also have seen things posted on social networking that can be inappropriate according to HIPAA laws in health care. This can be a touchy subject for students and faculty right now.
If the social site is appropriate and relevant to the origin of learning there are many benefits such as forums for information etc. Generic or non specific social adresses may induce exposure to outside distractions unrelated to the lkearning enviroment.
