Social networking: a collaborative open educational resource
Abstract
Studies undertaken since the introduction of Web 2.0 have focussed mainly on open educational resources (OERs) such as email, blogging and virtual learning environments. No consistent efforts have been undertaken to study the use of social networking sites as a tool for learning in the second language classroom. This study examined the use of social networking sites as a means of establishing an asynchronous online environment for use in language learning in a classroom setting. The findings described are based on the use of a social networking site called Ning in a classroom during a summer school project, which was conducted at a further education college in the UK. The project focussed in particular on informal language practice when using social networking sites. The paper then examines the effect the use of the social networking tool had on group cohesion and learner-to-learner interaction, and how these, in turn, enhanced informal language learning due to an increase in learner collaboration. The study found that the use of Ning enhanced group cohesion and that learners started working in different groups once Ning was introduced. Finally, it highlights the potential technical and administrative barriers that can impede an institution in implementing its educational strategy in regards to OERs – in this case, social networking sites in the classroom. The further education college in which this study took place had no policies in place in regards to the use of OERs in th…
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Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In Toetenel's study, a small number of students used the website outside class hours, and after the project ended, with one person using the site daily.
“A small number of students used the website outside class hours, and after the project ended, with one person using the site daily.”
From Social Media for Informal Minority Language Learning: Exploring Welsh Learners’ Practices (2015) · cites this paper as Toetenel (2014)
Toetenel (2014) emphasizes the social nature of second language learning, arguing that a communicative approach is consistent with collaborative learning and a sociocultural approach.
“More recently Toetenel (2014) also emphasizes the social nature of second language learning, arguing that a communicative approach is consistent with collaborative learning and a sociocultural approach given that this emphasises meaning making and learning through interaction.”
From Social Media for Informal Minority Language Learning: Exploring Welsh Learners’ Practices (2015) · cites this paper as Toetenel (2014)
In Toetenel's study, she recruited 15 students (144 posts) but 9 students mainly attended.
“In her small study she recruited 15 students (144 posts) but 9 students mainly attended.”
From Social Media for Informal Minority Language Learning: Exploring Welsh Learners’ Practices (2015) · cites this paper as Toetenel (2014)
Toetenel (2014) investigated the use of SNS in a small study where she established an asynchronous online environment for English classroom language learners.
“Recently Toetenel (2014) investigated the use of SNS in a small study where she established an asynchronous online environment for English classroom language learners.”
From Social Media for Informal Minority Language Learning: Exploring Welsh Learners’ Practices (2015) · cites this paper as Toetenel (2014)
In Toetenel's study, the data consisted of posts, student diaries and questionnaires and researcher observation.
“The data consisted of posts, student diaries and questionnaires and researcher observation.”
From Social Media for Informal Minority Language Learning: Exploring Welsh Learners’ Practices (2015) · cites this paper as Toetenel (2014)
In Toetenel's study, students with higher linguistic ability posted more.
“Students with higher linguistic ability posted more.”
From Social Media for Informal Minority Language Learning: Exploring Welsh Learners’ Practices (2015) · cites this paper as Toetenel (2014)
In Toetenel's study, privacy was not a concern but this may have been because students knew each other and were co-located.
“Privacy was not a concern but this may have been because students knew each other and were co-located.”
From Social Media for Informal Minority Language Learning: Exploring Welsh Learners’ Practices (2015) · cites this paper as Toetenel (2014)
Toetenel's project investigated informal language practices, focusing on the use of a SNS (Ning) to support group cohesion and peer interaction.
“The project investigated their informal language practices, focusing on the use of a SNS (Ning) to support group cohesion and peer interaction.”
From Social Media for Informal Minority Language Learning: Exploring Welsh Learners’ Practices (2015) · cites this paper as Toetenel (2014)
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Exploring students’ purposes of usage and educational usage of Facebook
Manasijević, D., Živković, D., Arsić, S., & Milošević, I. (2016) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.chb.2016.02.087 · Cited by 91 · see citing works
Social Media for Informal Minority Language Learning: Exploring Welsh Learners’ Practices
Jones, A. (2015) · Journal of Interactive Media in Education · doi:10.5334/jime.ak · Cited by 26 · see citing works
“Recently Toetenel (2014) investigated the use of SNS in a small study where she established an asynchronous online environment for English classroom language learners.”
Background
- Authors
- Toetenel, L.
- Affiliations
- Oxford Brookes University (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Toetenel, Lisette
- ORCID
- Toetenel, Lisette
- Venue
- Computer Assisted Language Learning
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2013-07-23
- Volume
- 27
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 149-162
- ISSN
- 0958-8221 (ISSN-L)
- 1744-3210
- OpenAlex
- W2049574895
- Cited by
- 81
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 2
- FWCI
- 26.31
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Computer Assisted Language Learning (publishedVersion)
- Open Research Online (The Open University) (acceptedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Information Systems › Educational Technology in Learning
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Information Systems › English Language Learning and Teaching
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computer Science Applications › Open Education and E-Learning
- Keywords
- social networking sites, open educational resources, Ning, second language acquisition, informal language learning, asynchronous online learning, group cohesion, student-student interaction, learner collaboration, further education, education policy
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