Facebook in teaching: strengths and weaknesses

Purpose – The use of online social networks has experienced a vertiginous increase in the last few years, and young people appear as the key players in this trend. Immersed, educated and raised in the middle of technology, the new student generation is one of digital natives. Instead, lecturers are digital immigrants, but the authors have the responsibility to turn a technology which can be a distraction into a teaching tool. Facebook is an example of Web 2.0 technology that owns a huge potential in the field of education. The purpose of this paper is to show the teaching experience with the Facebook social network in human resource management degree subjects, for the purpose of highlighting its strengths and weaknesses. Design/methodology/approach – A survey was carried out among university students in order to reach the goal. A total of 191 students were asked to give their opinion about the use of Facebook in teaching, achieving 125 valid answers. Findings – Facebook can positively impact on the performance of students, who are satisfied with the experience and think that the information obtained in Facebook can improve their training. More negative attitudes towards Facebook appeared among those students who had not used it. Originality/value – The paper summarises the strengths and weaknesses of Facebook through a literature review and assesses them via a survey.

Perspectivas de estudiantes para profesores sobre el papel de la tecnología para apoyar el aprendizaje matemático de los estudiantes

El objetivo de esta investigación es caracterizar perspectivas de estudiantes para profesores de educación secundaria (EPS) sobre el papel que puede desempeñar la tecnología para apoyar el aprendizaje matemático de los estudiantes. Los datos proceden de la planificación de una lección basada en la resolución de problemas mediante el uso de tecnología. Las perspectivas de los estudiantes para profesor se situaron a lo largo de un continuo considerando la relación entre: (i) lo que se pretendía con el uso de recursos tecnológicos y (ii) la naturaleza de la actividad matemática generada. La relación entre ambos aspectos ayuda a reconocer el papel que pueden desempeñar las perspectivas de los estudiantes para profesor cuando están aprendiendo a integrar la tecnología en la enseñanza de la resolución de problemas.

The Influence of Space Layout, Technology and Teaching Approach on Student Learning: An Architectural Technology Perspective

Some would argue that there is a need for the traditional lecture format to be rethought in favour of a more active approach. However, this must form part of a bipartite strategy, considered in conjunction with the layout of any new space to facilitate alternative learning and teaching methods. With this in mind, this paper begins to examine the impact of the learning environment on the student learning experience, specifically focusing on students studying on the Architectural Technology and Management programme at Ulster University. The aim of this study is two-fold: to increase understanding of the impact of learning space layout, by taking a student centered approach; and to gain an appreciation of how technology can impact upon the learning space. The study forms part of a wider project being undertaken at Ulster University known as the Learning Landscape Transition Project, exploring the relationship between learning, teaching and space layout. Data collection was both qualitative and quantitative, with use of a case study supported by a questionnaire based on attitudinal scaling. A focus group was also used to further analyse the key trends resulting from the questionnaire. The initial results suggest that the learning environment, and the technology within it, can not only play an important part in the overall learning experience of the student, but also assist with preparation for the working environment to be experienced in professional life.