ERIC Number: EJ1035665
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1479-4403
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Social Media, Collaboration and Social Learning--A Case-Study of Foreign Language Learning
Mondahl, Margrethe; Razmerita, Liana
Electronic Journal of e-Learning, v12 n4 p339-352 2014
Social media has created new possibilities for digitally native students to engage, interact and collaborate in learning tasks that foster learning processes and the overall learning experience. Using both qualitative and quantitative data, this article discusses experiences and challenges of using a social media-enhanced collaborative learning environment in case-based teaching of foreign languages. Based on social constructivism we argue that foreign language learning is an individual as well as collaborative process and cognitive processes underlying learning and in particular foreign language learning are facilitated by means of social media and especially for new generation of students. This article contributes to understanding of how best to make use of social media in an educational setting and how learning may be fostered in social, collaborative knowledge construction, sharing and building. The case-study findings indicate that collaborative learning processes that are embedded in a social media enhanced learning platform are supportive and conducive to successful problem-solving which leads to successful adult foreign language learning. Furthermore, the study reports on some of the challenges in using social media and collaborative group work for teaching and learning at university level.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Social Networks, Cooperation, Qualitative Research, Statistical Analysis, Second Language Instruction, Second Language Learning, Cognitive Processes, Problem Solving, Adult Learning, Higher Education, Web 2.0 Technologies, Cooperative Learning, Socialization, Electronic Learning, Questionnaires, College Students, College Faculty
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education; Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Denmark
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A