Social Networks: Learning Tools or Just Socializing Environment?
Social Networks: Learning Tools or Just Socializing Environment?

Summary/Abstract: The development of multimedia tools, as well as web 2.0 technologies coming out, led an increase in the interest for integrating these in education. Initially used for socializing, social networks started to be used more frequently in academic education. Everyday use of smartphones and electronic tablets by students had drawn the attention of teachers. As a result, these devices are seen as potential resources used to improve learning and motivation for students. Using devices during class determines significant changes in the teaching-learning process which requires to reconsider their role in education. Although integrating social networks in education represents a challenge, they are neccessary in order to connect universities to the new generation of students. Even though social platforms were originally designed to connect people, today they constitute important learning resources through which students create content, work collaboratively and constantly interact in order to ease the learning process. The potential of social networks, student motivation for using such platforms for learning, creating online communities for certain didactic activities are themes the academic community is concerned with, and are also frequently approached in literature. Among social networks, Facebook is the most used one. Without having been designed specifically for learning, due to the impact it has on the youth, it can be used in the new social context as a great opportunity through which a collaborative, interactive and attractive learning environment for 21st century students can be created. The present paper aims to analyse the opinion of engineering students regarding the use of social networks in their own learning process. The purpose for which they are used is being analysed and so is their impact on learning.

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