Integrating Facebook in Sport Education: A practical experience

Abstract

The increased educational use of social networks is due to the fact that they offer resources that facilitate both the monitoring of academic activity and the social aspects inherent in the educational process; however, these platforms are not usually used as a resource for education. Facebook offers various channels of communication and has shown its potential for channeling collaborative activities between students. In this experience, Facebook was used as an environment to develop the characteristics of the sports education model (season, affiliation, formal competition, systematic registration, festive atmosphere and final celebration) in the area of Physical Education, using the resources of the social network. Each of the characteristics of the educational model was developed through the tools of the social network in a group created as a complementary resource to the educational action in the classroom. The parents of the participating students registered and were able to participate in the activity from a distance, which was extended outside the school thanks to the use of Facebook. The results showed increased monitoring, parental involvement, and the building of a community of practice. The educational model used was fully developed, helping the students «keep an eye» on the activity outside the school.