Social networking tools can benefit mobile learning by enabling (1) participatory and collaborative learning through sharing information and experiences, (2) stronger learning communities through a sense of belonging and empowerment, and (3) enhanced peer and expert interaction that is more frequent, engaging, and allows for rich multimedia feedback across locations and times. When incorporated into mobile learning, social media can support reflection, motivation, teamwork skills, and co-creation of knowledge.

1. Social Networking and Mobile
Learning
Dr. Agnieszka (Aga) Palalas
Prepared for M4D MOOC – October 2013
https://www.m4d-mooc.org/portal
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2. Social Networking and Mobile
Learning
Outcome:
To identify the benefits of incorporating social
networking tools in mobile learning.
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3. Social Media Penetration Feb 2013
Source: wearesocial.sg; Social, digital, and mobile worldwide. February 2013. p. 9
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4. Number of Social Network Users
in India 2011-2017
Number of users in millions
300.00
282.90
246.70
250.00
209.10
200.00
168.70
150.00
127.50
87.30
100.00
54.80
50.00
0.00
2011
2012
Source: eMarketer, emarketer.com
2013*
2014*
2015*
2016*
2017*
http://www.statista.com/statistics/219896/numb
er-of-social-network-users-in-india/
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5. Number of Social Network Users
in Canada 2011-2017
Number of users in millions
25.00
16.10
16.90
17.70
18.50
2011
2012
2013*
2014*
20.00
18.90
19.40
19.90
2015*
2016*
2017*
15.00
10.00
5.00
0.00
Source: eMarketer, emarketer.com
http://www.statista.com/statistics/260710/nu
mber-of-social-network-users-in-canada/
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6. Number of Social Network Users
Feb 2013
Source: wearesocial.sg; Social, digital, and mobile worldwide. February 2013. p. 3
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7. Global Social Networks
Leading social networks worldwide as of July 2013, ranked by number of registered users (in millions)
Number of registered users (in millions)
Facebook*
Qzone
611.00
Twitter
500.00
GooglePlus**
500.00
Tagged
330.00
LinkedIn
225.00
VKontakte
219.00
Tumblr
216.00
Renren*
178.00
Instagram*
130.00
0.00
Source:
200.00
400.00
600.00
1,155.00
800.00 1,000.00 1,200.00 1,400.00
DMR; Facebook; Google; Renren; VK, expandedramblings.com
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http://www.statista.com/statistics/272014/global-social-networks-ranked-by-number-of-registered-users/

8. Participatory Learning
• Enhanced access to other people
– distributing information
– sharing meaning and experiences
– instantaneous interaction and exchange of
feedback
– ad-hoc, on-demand or structured/planned
>> Participatory and collaborative learning
>> Co-creation of knowledge
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9. Community
• Learning community or community of practice
– At a distance (micro-communicating, microblogging)
– Face-to-face (backchanneling)
• Give voice and empower
• Stronger sense of belonging
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10. Peer and Expert Interaction
• Communication and mediation
– more frequent
– engaging
– fragmented, chaotic, and unpredictable
– dynamic
– rich (multimedia artifacts)
– across time and locations
– synchronous and asynchronous
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11. Feedback Exchange
• Continuous and rapid cycles
– brainstorming
– expression
– reflection
– rehearsal
– meaning negotiation
– engagement
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12. Self and Community
• Reflection on self in community
– motivating
– encouraging
– prep for real-life demands
(communication skills, teamwork)
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13. Enhanced Learning
• Contextual learning
– context-embedded
– time-sensitive
•
•
•
•
•
Scaffolds and supports
Spaced learning
Meaning making
Evaluation
Co-creation
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14. Other Benefits
•
•
•
•
Encouraged creativity and expression
Enhanced engagement and motivation
Currency, richness and diversity of information
Individual and group ownership
Harness the power of social media to
support participatory mobile learning
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15. Thank you!
Dr. Agnieszka Palalas
aga@epluslearning.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/apalalas
Presentations: http://www.slideshare.net/agaiza
Publications: http://athabascau.academia.edu/apalalas
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