The Application of Social Networks in Assisting out-of-class Interactions: A case Study of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Dalat University

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the application of social networks in assisting out-of-class interactions in the context of Vietnam. A group of lecturers and students from the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Dalat University was chosen to participate in a pilot scheme, using a social network called Edmodo to assist the out-of-class interactions between lecturers and students in the courses in charge in one academic year. The results show that the social network improves the efficiency of out-of-class interactions among participants and receive positive feedbacks from both students and lecturers. The results also indicate that the use of social networks in education is feasible and will improve the teaching and learning efficiency. However, the results also suggest that lecturers should carefully plan academic activities and provide students with proper incentives to motivate their participation into the class online interactive activities.