Research Article
Francisco José Montiel-Ruiz, María-del-Mar Sánchez-Vera, Isabel M. Solano-Fernández
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 15, Issue 1, Article No: ep401
ABSTRACT
Recent research and studies on training plans in physical education agree on the need to incorporate digital technologies in teaching contexts. At the same time, the introduction of active methodologies, such as gamification, has become one of the major trends of recent years. In this paper we present the perception of teachers and students about a gamified proposal for physical education in secondary education that uses social networks as a way for communication, collaboration, and promotion of physical activity among students. Edmodo has been used to carry out this experience because, as a vertical social network, it has an attractive interface for students and protects their privacy by not requiring any personal data.
This is a qualitative research, with a case study methodological design, which has used the focus group and group interview as data collection techniques. The sample consisted of 10 teachers, which represents all the teachers participating in the experience, and 56 students. The results show the positive assessment, both by teachers and students, of the Edmodo social network as a virtual teaching-learning environment for physical education in secondary education, and gamification as an active methodology. Likewise, the influence that the proposal, based on the use of digital technologies and gamification, has had on the promotion of physical activity among pupils has been high.
Keywords: physical education, social networks, gamification, secondary education, digital technologies
Research Article
María Martínez Lirola
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 14, Issue 1, Article No: ep346
ABSTRACT
This article offers a proposal for integrating the social network Facebook into an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classroom in tertiary education. The main objectives of this article are the following: 1. To offer a pedagogical proposal so that students can develop written skills and grammar at the same time that they acquire social competences using Facebook and 2. To know students’ opinions about the use of Facebook and the main social competences that they have acquired while using this social network in the teaching-learning process. The methodology is mainly qualitative-descriptive although some quantitative data is offered with the results of a questionnaire students completed. The data were collected through students’ posts in the Facebook discussions and a questionnaire.
The findings reveal the main grammar mistakes observed in students in the Facebook discussions and how Facebook is an appropriate social network for the participation of students in cooperative discussions on social topics and for the acquisition of social competences such as cooperation or communication. The results of the questionnaire show that students have a positive opinion about practicing the written skill in Facebook and they are aware that, apart from learning English, they also acquire social competences.
Keywords: English language online teaching, social networks, Facebook group, writing skill, social competences
Book Review
Aras Bozkurt
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 8, Issue 2, pp. 191-194
ABSTRACT
In essence, every network is the sum of nodes and ties among them. In physical networks, it is difficult to track nodes and identify ties among them, especially when the scale is greater. While it is possible to track, identify and map physical networks, this possibility is limited in time, space and human capability. However, the ability to track and identify nodes and ties among them on digital networks is possible because every single click leaves a digital trace and we can track, identify, collect, and analyze these digital traces. In this context, social network analysis provides techniques, tools and approaches to practice social networking, while social network theory provides the conceptual background to interpret the network data. This is where this book steps in and provides a systematic walkthrough for those interested in social network analysis. With a special focus on social networking in digital networked spaces, “Analyzing Social Media Networks with NodeXL: Insights from a Connected World” explains how to practice social network analysis by using NodeXL software.
Keywords: social media, social networks, NodeXL, connected world
Research Article
Eylem Simsek, Ali Simsek
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 4, Issue 2, pp. 126-137
ABSTRACT
The meaning of citizenship has usually been associated with the power of individuals in the process of social decision-making. Throughout the history, effective citizenship has required functional literacy skills as the fundamental factor for attending societal life. In the past, the 3Rs (writing, reading, and arithmetic) were considered to be enough for a normal citizen because people could communicate satisfactorily based on these skills in public spheres. They could also benefit through traditional literacy skills from the mainstream communication channels like newspaper, radio, and television. Depending on the linear characteristic of the mass media, participation of citizens was limited in the social arena. However, new communication technologies have changed the nature and scope of citizenship. New kinds of literacies have emerged regarding the new media such as Internet, Web, Twitter, blogs, YouTube, Facebook, mobile technologies and so forth. Today’s citizens are expected to attend social processes anytime and anywhere. Thus, they are required to have mastery in new literacies which allow them to use all kinds of emerging technologies to share their views and make their voices heard. In fact, this comes as a requisite for real democracy because digital citizenship is largely based on contemporary literacy skills in which the technology plays an important role. This paper elaborates various kinds of new literacies and discusses their relationships with the current practices of digital citizenship from a technological perspective.
Keywords: New literacies, Digital citizenship, Media literacy, ICT skills, Effective citizenship, Web 2.0, Social networks
Research Article
Filiz Tiryakioglu, Funda Erzurum
CONT ED TECHNOLOGY, Volume 2, Issue 2, pp. 135-150
ABSTRACT
Social network, particularly Facebook, can be defined as a unique online service, platform, or area where social communication and/or social relations can be established and individuals intensely share information. This definition implies that communication specialists should have more expertise and interest in social media than any other group of experts. Based on this assumption, the present study investigated the views and attitudes of instructors in the Faculty of Communication Sciences at Anadolu University in Turkey, which is a country where the total number of Facebook users ranks fourth in the world. The sample of the study consisted of 67 professors with various levels of academic titles. Data were gathered through a specially-designed survey form including 52 items in four subcategories. Results suggest that three fourth of instructors have a Facebook account and they spend less than half an hour per day on Facebook. There is no gender-related difference among the faculty in terms of attitudes toward Facebook. Instructors who are younger than 45 years old login Facebook on daily basis, while senior faculty login several times a week. Two in every three instructors use Facebook mainly as a tool of communication with friends. Finally, two thirds of the faculty think that Facebook can provide important contributions to social interactions among students as well as to communications between instructors and students.
Keywords: Facebook, Social networks, Communication technologies, Educational tools