Using Mobile Devices to Access Social Media Networks: Students Learning through Web Quest Technique

Abdelwahed Elsafi

doi:10.22158/csm.v1n1p44

Abstract

This study aims to explore the effect of mobile devices and social media networks supported with Web Quest on student’s communication and motivation skills. A web Quest was used for implementing the study as a way that enables learners to research on the web to navigate digital learning materials. This study presents the findings on students’ perspectives when searching the social media networks via their mobile devices following the Web Quest steps for achieving learning activities. The study follows the qualitative approach, the student’s used mobile devices to accomplish the learning tasks. The data were collected through a student questionnaire. The findings indicated that the use of mobile devices and social media networks provided opportunities for engaging in learning and increased students’ cooperation. The results also indicated that students enjoyed and appreciated the Web Quest technique. Additionally, students recognized the importance of using mobile devices as tools for education purposes, and acquired the values of group collaboration.

Highlights

The development of computers and wireless technology have changed the way of people life and communication, especially social networking sites and mobile devices that are used for sharing information and communication among different people around the world
This study implemented a variety of social media networks, accessed by mobile
The student questionnaire shows that the majority of them,confirmed that, they explored new tools for learning (mean = 3.9 (1.10)), and these new ways of learning makes them want to know more about web-based learning (mean = 3.8 (1.17))

Summary

Introduction

The development of computers and wireless technology have changed the way of people life and communication, especially social networking sites and mobile devices that are used for sharing information and communication among different people around the world. The use of mobile technologies will meet the new generations making it interesting for them, and will cater to the modern school environment As a result, this situation encourages many educational institutions to implement social media and mobile devices as learning tools to increase learning performance, and to develop the learning environment. Mason and Rennie (2008) stated that, there were many social media networks which were considered as educational tools for example; Wikipedia, blogger, folksonomy sites such as del.icio.us and Flicker, YouTube, Google doc and relevant websites These tools enable students to use them both inside and outside the classroom, students can research or navigate for accessing learning materials, collecting data from the internet, discussing a subject idea with their colleagues, sharing videos and photos, publishing their educational works, and completing their teaching and learning tasks. The study focused on using mobile devices to access social media networks for educational purposes

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