Journal for Educators, Teachers and Trainers

Abstract

Here we present the experience of the Stellae research group (University of Santiago de Compostela) in the use of academic social networks as a means for teaching and learning in Higher Education. It is an experience using student e-portfolios as artefacts spanning the breadth of teaching, learning and assessment processes. The teaching approach respects student diversity, promotes autonomy, proposes an elimination of barriers between formal and informal learning spaces and aims to encourage self and socio-regulated learning. The study aims to analyse the social network conditions that stimulate the development of these processes and how to use data generated in this context to improve proposals. We worked from a qualitative perspective combined with learning analytics quantitative techniques. The results show improved teacher access to data regarding student learning processes, and better knowledge of student network behaviour and motivation data. We conclude that the use of social networks creates a participation structure among students that provides great opportunities, fosters self and socio-regulation skills and promotes a positive correlation between the number of interactions and marks obtained.