Responding to contemporary needs of learning communities through utilizing emerging social networking tools

Abstract

This chapter aims to understand the nature of the learning processes of students who resorted to social networking sites (SNSs) during instructional activities. Throughout the research, a blended learning environment (BLE) involving both SNSs and face-toface activities was utilized. Frequently used SNSs such as Google+, Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr were used in accordance with the preferences of the students. Through synchronous, asynchronous, and multimedia supported affordances of SNSs, it was aimed to improve the learning experiences of the students. Explorations revealed that affordances of different SNSs facilitated students' customization of the tools in the BLE for relevant purposes throughout the course. Participants mentioned that they were satisfied with the course, expressed their intention to use contemporary SNSs for their own instructional activities, appreciated the free and flexible learning atmosphere provided by the BLE, and underlined the importance of communication and sharing opportunities among all stakeholders in the classroom