Social Networking Websites as an Innovative Framework for Connectivism

Abstract

With the Internet’s innate structure, new generations have increased their abilities on finding new people whom they have something in common and networking with them. Web 2.0 technologies have altered the ways how new generations manage their learning activities. Many studies showed that most of the social networking websites have created different learning networks and online communities on their bodies. As a result, many educational institutions have taken advantages of social networking websites for maintaining their teaching and learning activities. On the other hand, institutions suffer from the deficiency of guiding learning theories and their effective implementation. This article discusses Connectivism as an alternative platform for instructional processes on social networking websites. Connectivism explains learning in terms of interactions on a network where the learners exchange their knowledge. Social networking websites which offer connections in the form of friendships provide a context for the implementation of Connectivism. Therefore, the article aims to depict a relationship between educational activities on social networking websites and the contemporary Connectivist Learning Theory. The article also presents suggestions on integration of social networking websites’ into education.