Use of Social Networks in Open and Distance Education: What Sociology Students Share?

Abstract

Facebook, Twitter, forums, blogs, and Wikis are the leading social web applications. Social Web is one of the most active electronic learning systems. Therefore, learners are able to interact with other learners and influenced by these interaction. InMap, Wolfram Alpha and Facebook Insight are the examples of analytics supported Social Web applications. In this study, 12 different Facebook groups and fan page oriented Anadolu Univesity, Open Education Faculty, Sociology Program, were investigated. Posts, comments and answers on the fan pages and the groups are subjected for content analysis. Inductive content analysis was used for qualitative data collected. Qualitative data were given in tables, tables were separated into appropriate groups, codifying applied for related themes in the groups and major themes were acquired. In analysis of data, NVIVO package software was utilized. According to the results of the research, it was determined that students share mostly about exam services, lessons orientation and accreditation of the distance education program. Keywords: social web; open and distance education; social networks; content analysis; sociologyÂ