Abstract:

Social networks are increasing its impact in the University. The use of digital tools to improve education is recent study object. In the Research Group about Digital Journalism and Broadband, in the Universitat Abat Oliba CEU, in Barcelona (Spain), we analyse the use of social networks in the classroom. The idea is to introduce these social networks in the activities of the classroom, in a harmonic way. We study the theoretical framework of social networks and links with education. We develop a quantitative and qualitative methodology (triangulation). We select a universe of college students (n = 73) used to include digital possibilities in the classroom. We study Moodle, online exercises, online exams, hypertext inclusion, streaming to document in the class. We ask them for social networks (Facebook and Twitter) in a quantitative way (using Likert scales) and in a qualitative perspective (in deep interviews). We observe social problems associated to the digitization of education. There is a critical approach to the subject in the sense of relations of power between professor and student, or even between student and student, at the same and not hierarchical level. We conclude the inclusion of social networks in the class time is positive. However, we find the dangers and questions to improve in the future.

Keywords:

University, social networks, new learning, Facebook, Moodle.