Abstract:

Recently, social computing systems such as Social Network Sites (SNSs) have become more powerful across Human-to-Human interaction. An estimated 80% of university students rely on such SNSs in their daily communications, like internet surfing, discussions and social activities. In some universities, social networks have been adopted as a communication method between teachers and students. Some researchers claim that introducing social networks improves students’ academic performance and increases institutional revenues. In addition, a wide number of educational institutions have started the initiative of using open source social networking application. Elgg, in particular, is one of the widely used social learning platforms. This paper discusses the benefits of using Elgg and assesses its potential to substitute existing learning management systems in Lebanese higher educational institutions. It is organized as follows:
1) A literature review to define open source application and point out its benefits, open education and its progress,
2) a review of open source social networking technologies, their features and contribution to the educational process,
3) a discussion of the effect of open source social networking technologies on education systems,
4) an overview of Elgg pointing out its features and benefits as a social learning platform, followed by a comparison with different social learning platforms (moodle, drupal, JomSocial, and chamilo),
5) a case study of implementing Elgg at the Computer Science Department at the University of Balamand, discussion of results is followed, and finally
6) a conclusion with a recommendation to adopt Elgg as a substitute for learning management systems.

Keywords:

Social networks, open source, education, Elgg.