1) The study examined graduate and undergraduate student perspectives on using social networking platforms for teaching and learning through a mixed methods approach. 2) Quantitative results found that discussion boards, viewing the professor's wall, and interacting with the professor were most important. Students also engaged more passively through reading blogs and actively through posting content. 3) Qualitative findings explored how students used the social networking platform and what they liked best, including easy access to course materials and the ability to easily communicate and collaborate with others.

1. Using Social Network Platforms for Teaching and Learning: Graduate and Undergraduate Student PerspectivesA mixed methods study

2. Pre-readingIn order to facilitate the discussion, please read the following 2 articles.Ophys, J. D., & Abbitt, J. T. (2009). Exploring the potential perceptions of social networking systems in university courses. Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 5(4), 639-648. Gorsky, P., & Caspi, A.,(2005). A critical analysis of transactional distance theory. Quarterly Review of Distance Education, 6(1), 1-11.

3. Literature ReviewParadigm shiftsPassive to active learningFace to face to onlineSeparation of personal and academicLearningsocial comfort social presence teacher presence respectinfluence

4. Current StudyIn graduate and undergraduate coursesHybrid and onlineParticipants176 students 107 undergraduates and 69 graduate students 98 hybrid and 78 online students during the 2008-2009 semesters. InstrumentationOnline survey consisted of 3 parts: demographic data, feedback about the Ning and experiences and a critical reflection sectionContinuing to add data

5. 13 Interaction Variables + 3 OthersInteraction with peersInteraction with professorViewing peers’ wallsViewing instructor wallReading blogsWatching videosPosting picturesPosting videosPosting musicPosting commentsDiscussion boardsSmall groupsNing mail3 Other VariablesConducive to learnprior experienceOverall experience

6. Quantitative ResultsDiscriminant analysisdiscussion board, professor wall and interaction with the professor Regressions conducive to the learning- discussion boards, posting comments and interaction with the professor. CorrelationsFactor analysis with oblique rotationsA general interactive factor emerged with additional 2 factorsActive and passive one-way ANOVAsMANOVAsAll 13 variables loaded onto one interaction variable.

7. Quantitative ResultsGraduate vs UndergraduateIn regards to the 13 interactive variables, no difference in the perceptions or usefulness between undergraduates and graduates. When looking at the overall experience, wanting more experience and the environment being conducive to learning, undergraduates rated the higher than then graduates.Hybrid vs OnlineThere was a significant difference in the environment being conducive to learning. Online found it more conducive to learning. We ran a MANOVA and looked to see if any specific interacting variables made a difference and none were found.

8. Passive and Active FactorsPassive was the first component loaded. It consisted of interaction with Peer, interaction with professor, reading blogs, discussion boards and small groups. These factors loaded at .6 or higher.Active was the second component. It consisted of posting pictures, posting videos, posting music, and Ning Mail. These factors loaded at .6 or higher.There were two variables that loaded moderately on both and presents as a complex load not completely explained by either/or but both. They loaded at .497 and .514 respectively. They are reading peer wall and reading professor wall.

9. Qualitative Results-how was the Ning used?

10. Types of Experiences

11. What was liked best

12. General Impressions

13. Use Tools and Process Learning

14. FindingsIf you liked one tool, you liked it all and was a positive learning experience, if you didn't it wasn't.The Passive and Active FactorsPassive may be the first component to load due to the nature of learning, first observing and then doing. The two factors common to both may be organized differently in use.

15. DiscussionOverall impressions?In light of your experiences on the Ning