Abstract:

This essay will analyse the potential that social networks have as supporting tools in a learning context based on virtual work.

A significant growth, both in quantity and intensity, in the use of social network services, of which Tuenti, Facebook or Twitter are predominant examples, has made them, rather than passing fashion, a social phenomenon. For the young population in general, and for our students in particular, personal social relationships have their natural extension in these virtual spaces.

The contribution potential of the social network services is, therefore, very high, which clearly justifies their study in the teaching environment. The goal of the present project is to analyze which attributes of these so widely spread services can be applied to our virtual working environments, and to develop a social network service which, using these resources and services, will improve the process of teaching – learning.

After describing the main services and utilities of social networks in the teaching area, we will explain the specific activities, based on the use of three social network systems: (Facebook, Ning and Twitter), which have been carried out within the development of two subjects related to Business Management.

The use of these social network systems in a real teaching-learning context allows us to spot their main benefits and shortcomings, and to identify which network system can be more useful according to the goal pursued.

Keywords:

Social networks, teaching-learning process, facebook, twitter, ning, tuenti.