Delivery of e-learning through social learning networks

Over the past two decades policies and speculations have been evident about the importance of internet use including technologies in education and learning at all levels to individuals and societies. The purposes, theories and ways in which learning with technologies ought to be conceptualised and functionalised is generating an increased body of literature. With the arrival of Web 2.0 and Semantic Web however not enough is known about the ways in which these online technologies interact and may interact with student’s learning experience. There are gaps in our knowledge on the role of social networking sites on student learning experiences. Social media tools have become ubiquitous. You can see our students use them all the time. Among them most popular tools are Facebook, Wiki, YouTube, bulletin board, LinkedIn, blogging, and twittering. The advancement of modern technologies tries its best to accommodate the needs from people, especially the younger generation. As educators, how can we take advantage of this momentum? With the advent of Web 2.0 tools, educators are looking to these new technological tools to examine its potential in enhancing teaching and learning. While its runaway success as a social networking tool is now renowned, the use of Facebook for educational purposes may be considered still at its infancy stage. This paper will bring together recent research findings on how learning experience of students at higher and further education level is influenced by the latest development and technological advancements of social networking sites.