Using Social Learning Networks (SLNs) in Higher Education: Edmodo Through the Lenses of Academics

Abstract

With its total number of users (around 62 million) throughout the world, it is important to determine the views of academics who use Edmodo (the leading SLN. In this respect in the first part of this two-part research, the purpose was to examine academics' (n=50) use of technology and social networks. As for the purpose of the second part, it was to determine the views of 12 academics-selected from the academics participating in the first part-who had experience in Edmodo about the basic features of Edmodo and about its use in education. In the study carried out with the mixed method, the qualitative and quantitative data were collected with an online questionnaire. The findings obtained were interpreted within the framework of cooperative learning and the theories of "Diffusion of Innovations" and "Uses and Gratifications," and the related themes were formed. As a result, the academics with experience in Edmodo reported their views about the benefits of use of the Edmodo in education. Regarding the differences between Edmodo and social networks, the results suggested that the former was used completely for educational purposes and that it did not involve any unnecessary components. Keywords

Harmanlanmiş Öğrenme Ortamlarinin Algilanan Etki̇leşi̇m Değeri̇ Ölçeği̇ni̇n Geli̇şti̇ri̇lmesi̇

“…Ölçek geliştirmenin ilk aşamasında alanyazında yer alan harmanlanmış öğrenme ortamları kullanılarak yapılmış çalışmalar (Oproiu, 2015;Durak, 2017;Holmes ve Prieto-Rodriguez, 2018), harmanlanmış öğrenme, çevrimiçi öğrenme ve TKKBM çerçevesinde geliştirilen ölçekler (Cabı ve Gülbahar, 2013;Kuzu, 2014;Teo, 2015;Turan ve Haşit, 2014;Ursavaş, 2014) incelenmiştir. Alanyazın taraması sonucunda bilişim teknolojileri öğretmen adayları açısından harmanlanmış öğrenme ortamlarının etkileşim değerini etkileyen faktörler belirlenmiştir.…”

Flipped Classroom Model and Practical Suggestions

“…In addition, it could be stated that use of mobile learning tools in the application process of FC model could lead to better learning outcomes (Torun and Dargut, 2015). In related literature, it is pointed out that use of SLN besides mobile learning tools will have positive influence on the learning process (Durak, Çankaya and Yünkül, 2014;Sucu, Akbay and Akbulut, 2015;Dere and Yalçınalp, 2016;Durak, 2017). Lastly, it should be remembered that the knowledge level and the age group of the target population should be taken into account while preparing the educational materials to be used in the application of FC model (Sever, 2014).…”

The Impact of Social Media Participation on Academic Performance in Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students

“…Consequently, it is essential to study their influence on academic performance. Various authors have highlighted the added value of social networking sites in education, their pedagogical potential (Durak, 2017), and their especially effective role in social learning (Johnson, Becker, Estrada, & Freeman, 2014). However, studies of the relationship between social media participation and academic performance have obtained conflicting results.…”