Social Networking Technologies as a Tool for Effective Learning

Abstract

During the past decade the use of various technologies such as Micro blogs, Digital videos, wikis, podcasts and social Networking sites (SNS) have seen a dramatic increase in their use, especially among the young generation. These tools are described as social networking technologies underlining their ability to facilitate the establishment of networks. The recent advances in field of science and technology in this millennium has opened doors to a whole new world of teaching and learning where clicking of the mouse and touching of screen can work wonders. (Shamshir Singh and Ranjit Kaur, 2011). Social Networking sites (SNS) such as 'Face book' or “twitter” have proved to be extremely effective in connecting people and in facilitating the exchange of information. In addition SNS also fits well the requirements of a social constructivist approach to Education. Boyd and Ellison (2008) define social network sites as "web based services that allow individuals to (1) construct a public or semipublic profile, within a bounded system (2) articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection and (3) view and transverse their list of connections and those made by others within the system. SNS (e.g. Face book or my space) are currently the most popular types of web 2.0 services because they are able to combine many web 2.0 technologies into platforms that serve as virtual gathering places which help in facilitating social relationships.