Social Networking And Pedagogical Variations: An Integrated Approach For Effective Interpersonal And Group Communications Skills Development

Abstract

Electronic communication and social networking are effective and useful tools in the process of teaching and learning and have increasingly improved the quality of students' learning outcomes in higher education in recent years. The system encourages and supports students' active engagement, collaboration, and participation in class activities and provides a process of information dissemination in a unique method that yields measurable results. Faculty members are capable of monitoring and evaluating collaborative and independent efforts and activities of students and can provide immediate and timely feedback to students. While there are some issues and concerns regarding social networking and students' learning, numerous studies indicate that performance assessment and learning outcomes are adequately and objectively measured and managed as a result of social networking mechanism. Additionally, electronic media enhance collaborative learning activities and experiences. Effective and selective use of electronic and social networking tools in learning environments by innovative-minded and interactive faculty can sustain the quality of instructions and skills-development in communications disciplines. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]