Can social media play a role in education?

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New research exploring young people's learning with social media freely accessible online until 31 March

United Kingdom, March 2011 – For over three-quarters of 12-17 year-olds using social media, online networking is now the main out-of-school computer activity. But, despite media reports linking the use of Facebook to lower grades, few studies have investigated the learning and social practices of young people. The new special issue of On the Horizon, entitled “Online social networking as a site for learning”, explores young people’s learning, collaboration, and creativity with social media across a range of educational settings and related issues. Published this month by Emerald Group Publishing, it is freely available online until 31 March by visiting www.emeraldinsight.com/oth.htm with username: Free and password: Horizon.

Guest editor, Professor Christine Greenhow, of the University of Maryland in the US, has put together a range of articles which explore the benefits and challenges of implementing social network sites in existing formal and informal learning environments. She explains, “In the last decade, Internet access, the nature of the Web and contexts of learning have been transformed, and new desired competencies for learners, educators and administrators have emerged. Such shifts change our understanding of learning, instruction and paths for future research”.

This Special Issue of On the Horizon contains research papers examining building creativity and collaborative learning in a social media environment, and exploring the integration of social learning networks for students. The social media design, implementation and evaluation process is also discussed, as well as observations on the benefits and challenges of implementing social network sites in formal learning environments.

Published as Volume 19, Issue 1, On the Horizon is a strategic planning resource for decision makers in the public and private sector and, in particular, education policy makers, administrators, practitioners, and researchers in post-secondary and life-long learning worldwide.

On the Horizon encourages prospective authors to submit articles on issues looking at the future of education and education’s role in shaping the future. Submissions and inquiries can be made to the Editor, Dr. Tom P. Abeles, tabeles@gmail.com

On the Horizon is freely accessible from 1 until 31 March with username: Free and password: Horizon

For more information on submissions, RSS feeds of contents of future issues, and to view article abstracts, go to http://www.emeraldinsight.com/oth.htm or contact Sharon Parkinson, Publisher, at sparkinson@emeraldinsight.com

On The Horizon is available as part of an online subscription to the Emerald Education Subject Collection. For more information, please email collections@emeraldinsight.com.