Social Networking Sites: Does the use Ning as a collaboration and learning tool in second level education improve student's academic performance?

Orjiewulu, Uzokwe Ajuluchukwu (2010) Social Networking Sites: Does the use Ning as a collaboration and learning tool in second level education improve student's academic performance? Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

Preview

PDF (Master of Science) Download (3MB) | Preview

Abstract

Academic and academic researchers are beginning to understand and appreciate the importance of social networking sites in the life of students and the effective roles they would play in bringing education and knowledge closer and quicker to this generation of students than the all traditional based classroom teaching method. Researchers are faced with the dilemma of knowing which of these social networking sites would support learning and educational activities without exposing the students and schools to danger. Researchers are also faced with the problem of finding an effective and efficient way of requisition and repurposing of the technologies of social networking sites in ways to support learning. It is these gaps that this research work intends to fill.

This research examines the role and effectiveness of using Ning as the preferred social network for collaboration and learning tool in second level education. It is hoped that
the use of Ning would increase understanding and knowledge and also increase academic performance of students through knowledge sharing. The research also examines the use of web 2.0 tools such as chat, blog, instant messaging, media sharing and the creative organizational and analytical tools as a vehicle for fostering learning in an online environment.

The research for the study was carried out in two secondary schools in Ireland using a pretest and post test in two subjects, English Literature and Geography. The result for group 1 pretest shows a mean of 54.43% and standard deviation of 11.340 and the mean for the posttest was 82.13% and a standard deviation of 10.65. it also statistically shows (p=.993). The Group 2 pretest mean score was 51% and a standard deviation of 8.288 and a posttest mean score of 88.04% and a standard deviation of 6.920. It also was statistically significantly different at 0.64. The results show an improvement on academic performance of students. Qualitative data gathered through an evaluation sheet suggest that there is an overwhelming acceptance for the use of Ning Social Networking Site in secondary education in Ireland.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Subjects:	L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB1603 Secondary Education. High schools L Education > LC Special aspects / Types of education > E-Learning Z Bibliography. Library Science. Information Resources > ZA Information resources > ZA4150 Computer Network Resources > The Internet > World Wide Web > Websites > Online social networks T Technology > TK Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering > Telecommunications > The Internet > World Wide Web > Websites > Online social networks
Divisions:	School of Computing > Master of Science in Learning Technologies
Depositing User:	SINEAD CORCORAN
Date Deposited:	23 May 2011 13:11
Last Modified:	06 Feb 2015 16:05
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/521

Actions (login required)

View Item