The effectiveness of social networking applications in e-learning

Abstract

This study aimed to see and explain the effectiveness of ICT social networking application in e-learning in the subject of History among Form 4 students. The objective was to identify methods of collaborative learning by applying the use of Facebook application in order to enhance student motivation and understanding on the topic of Greece and Roman Civilization. Samples of 60 Form 4 students are randomly selected from a rural school in Penang, Malaysia. The questionnaire has been used as an instrument and data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and the statistics of intervention. This study was carried out because most students are not interested in the subjects of history and consider it very boring to studying history. In addition, approaches and techniques less attractive version cause students to lose interest and not motivated to learn when it is a compulsory subject. Therefore, researchers conducted this study to in order this subject will became a subject of interest and thus provide a good impact on learning. Overall, the findings show that elearning method by applying the use of social networking application to increase student motivation and understanding on gender and class stream. The study also found that there was a significant difference in the improvement of gender and motivation on the students' understanding based on the class stream. The overall mean was 3.81. However, the understanding of students in a elearning method by applying the use of social networking does not depend on students' computer skills. The result showed that there were no significant differences in improvement based on student understanding of computer skills. Therefore, some suggestions and implications are discussed for effective learning is produced mainly in the subjects of history. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.