The document presents a comparison of learner perspectives on e-learning environments, particularly Facebook and Blackboard, based on a study conducted at the University of Reading. Key findings indicate that learners desire a fun, accurate, and easily accessible e-learning environment, with a strong preference for social networking platforms like Facebook for peer connection. The study concludes that social networking can facilitate learning, even in the absence of formal course materials, and underscores the importance of intentional use of learning tools for better educational outcomes.

1. Facebook & Blackboard Comparison of learner perspectives 29 May 2009

2. Introduction The team: Patrick Parslow, Shirley Williams, Michael Evans, Karsten Ø ster Lundqvist, Edwin Porter-Daniels, Robert Ashton Contact details: [email_address] Domain : All surveys conducted at University of Reading

3. Summary

4. Headlines

5. Methods

6. Results “ What do you think would make a good eLearning environment?” “ Something that doesn't detract from a physical learning environment.” “ An education into how to use and what e-learning is attempting to achieve” “ Fun and easy to use” “ accurate information”

7. Results “ What do you think would make a good eLearning environment?” “ E-mail” “ An easily accessible website, for students doing the same course(s), not necessarily from the same institution.” “ I think blackboard is ideal really.” “ nothing, teaching is best done in the classroom, face to face. eLearning is silly.”

8. Results More from the comments and interviews: eLearning environment needs to be widely used to be useful Consistency between modules and interfaces More discussion groups Privacy, within group and sometimes excluding lecturer Trust is an issue Separation of academia and social matters

9. ‘ Community’ models - facebook

10. ‘ Community’ models - Blackboard

11. Results – connecting to people Students 5 times more likely to find peers on Facebook than on UoR Blackboard Marked gender difference found in prototype survey not supported by results of full survey so far Strongest correlations with departments (for FB) Chemistry and Human & Environmental Science -ve correlation with Health & Social care, and Biological Science Appears unrelated to gender May be related to active social groups in departments

12. Why is connecting important? Connectivism Rapidly changing knowledge landscape Short half-life of information Important to have a network of information sources Collaboration Many heads are better than one Synergy Inter-disciplinary cross fertilization Constructivism Learn better if creating things others will see/use

13. Supports constructivism… and connectivism

14. Blackboard – linear read:learn?

15. Blackboard – posting not helping?

16. Do the same people learn on Facebook as Blackboard?

17. Intentional use for learning

18. Intentional learning use

19. Conclusions Learners will learn through social networking Even in the absence of course materials There may be a eLearner role Those who learn both through the VLE and other tools Intentional use of tools improves outcomes At least in terms of frequency Something about UoR use of Blackboard seems to inhibit 1 in 6 intending to learn by using it never do

20. Thank you Any Questions?