Abstract:

Nowadays, a large number of social networking websites (SNW) are used in so many different fields, whether political, social or cultural. The academic category is not exempt from this technology, which is used in multiple tasks of educational work: as a means of support in courses, such as management tool, as synchronous and asynchronous communication between teachers and students and so on. The paper analyzes the potential of SNW in higher education, specifically in learning undergraduate students in the area of computer science. After discussing several aspects about the most widespread technological tools in this scope, as Facebook and Twitter, the social network concept and its most relevant characteristics are analyzed: functionality, advantages and disadvantages and its application in learning process. SNW facilities that offer students to improve performance and its benefits over other technologies such as Virtual Learning Environments are reviewed. However, the used of SNW generates reticence by teachers and leaders of academic management and presents challenges for its integration in higher education systems, which are also analyzed and that are linked, primarily, to the pedagogical model and the evaluation of learning.

Keywords:

Social media, e-learning, Higher education, Computer science, ICT.