framework for the implementation of a virtual design studio model in ...
framework for the implementation of a virtual design studio model in ...
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Facebook was utilised <strong>in</strong> this project as an educational tool facilitat<strong>in</strong>g its<br />
feature accord<strong>in</strong>g to curriculum specifications. Facebook has been<br />
acknowledged as a learn<strong>in</strong>g tool by many educationalists and its<br />
utilisation has been widely encouraged by <strong>the</strong> British government as<br />
well as worldwide. 302 The report <strong>for</strong> Childnet International and funded<br />
by Becta, <strong>the</strong> government body <strong>for</strong> technology <strong>in</strong> learn<strong>in</strong>g, states that<br />
despite <strong>the</strong> fact that Facebook and o<strong>the</strong>r social network<strong>in</strong>g tools are<br />
used by lecturers and teachers, <strong>the</strong>y may not be fully aware <strong>of</strong> its<br />
educational potential <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir students. The report says:<br />
“In addition to provid<strong>in</strong>g a whole community with useful <strong>in</strong><strong>for</strong>mation<br />
about a school, college, organisation or event, a social network pr<strong>of</strong>ile<br />
sends a clear message to learners that you are aware <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> types <strong>of</strong><br />
spaces <strong>the</strong>y enjoy onl<strong>in</strong>e”. 303<br />
The academic relevance <strong>of</strong> us<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>se social networks stems from<br />
utilis<strong>in</strong>g its features <strong>for</strong> academic purposes. 304 The students were<br />
asked to create an academic e-portfolio <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong>mselves to support <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
meta-cognitive process<strong>in</strong>g 305 . Many studies highlighted <strong>the</strong> positive<br />
effect <strong>of</strong> us<strong>in</strong>g academic portfolio on overall per<strong>for</strong>mance. 306 The e-<br />
Portfolio acts as <strong>in</strong><strong>for</strong>mation storage <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> students‟ portfolio and<br />
achievements. The students update this e-Portfolio on a regular basis<br />
to align it to <strong>the</strong>ir ongo<strong>in</strong>g development. The students were also<br />
encouraged to create learn<strong>in</strong>g Facebook groups which facilitated <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
communication and helped <strong>in</strong> track<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>ir participation as part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
assessment requirement (see Figure 6.12).<br />
302<br />
Sugden, J. (2010). ‘10000 on YouTube <strong>for</strong> learners’. The Times. News p23<br />
303<br />
Lipsett, A. (2008). Facebook a valid educational tool, Teachers told. Childnet <strong>in</strong>ternational;.<br />
304<br />
Sugden, J. (2010). op.cit. p23<br />
305<br />
P<strong>in</strong>trich, P. R., (2002). ‘The role <strong>of</strong> metacognitive knowledge <strong>in</strong> learn<strong>in</strong>g, teach<strong>in</strong>g, and assess<strong>in</strong>g’.<br />
Theory <strong>in</strong>to Practice. 41(4). p119-225.<br />
306<br />
Clarke, A. (2008). E-Learn<strong>in</strong>g Skills. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.<br />
142