Teenage peer-to-peer knowledge sharing through social network sites in secondary schools

2017 ◽  
Vol 110 ◽  
pp. 16-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christa S.C. Asterhan ◽  
Edith Bouton
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Social Network Sites ◽  
Peer To Peer

scholarly journals Going Behind the Scenes at Teacher Colleges: Online Student Knowledge Sharing through Social Network Technologies

10.28945/3863 ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 167-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Smadar Bar-Tal ◽  
Christa S. C. Asterhan
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Adult Students ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Peer To Peer ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
Central Feature ◽  
College Life ◽  
Teacher Colleges

Aim/Purpose: The present study aims to describe existing peer-to-peer, social network-based sharing practices among adult students in teacher colleges. Background: Ubiquitous social network sites open up a wide array of possibilities for peer-to-peer information and knowledge sharing. College instructors are often unaware of such practices that happen behind the scenes. Methodology: An interpretative, qualitative research methodology was used. Thirty-seven Israeli students at a teacher college in Israel participated in either focus group discussions of (N = 29) or in-depth interviews (N = 8). Contribution: Whereas knowledge sharing has been a main focus of research in organizational and information sciences, its relevance to educational settings has thus far been underscored. Recent research shows that peer–to-peer knowledge sharing is wide-spread among teenage students. The current study extends that work to an adult student population. Findings: The findings show that knowledge sharing of this type is a common and even central feature of students’ college life and study behavior. It takes place through a variety of small and larger social network-based peer groups of different formations, including mostly college students but at time also practicing, experienced teachers. Sharing groups are formed on the spot for short term purposes or are stable, continuous over longer time periods. The contents shared are predominantly lesson summaries, material for exams, reading summaries, and lesson plans. They are used immediately or stored for future use, as students have access to vast data bases of stored materials that have been compiled throughout the years by students of previous cohorts. Teacher students mentioned a range of reasons for sharing, and overall regard it very positive. However, some downsides were also acknowledged (i.e., superficial learning, exclusion, attentional overload, and interruptions). Recommendations for Practitioners: College faculty and teaching staff should be cognizant and informed about these widespread peer-based knowledge sharing practices and consider whether perhaps changes in teaching formats and task assignments are required as a result. Future Research: Future research should extend this work to other higher education settings, cultures and countries, and should map the perceptions of higher education teaching staff about peer-to-peer, online knowledge sharing.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Use of Social Network Sites among Adolescent Secondary School Students, Lilongwe, Malawi

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. 55-63
Author(s):  
John Kuyokwa ◽  
Howard Bowa
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Social Network Sites ◽  
Data Generation ◽  
School Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social Media Platforms

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of use of social network sites among adolescent students in secondary schools.  A cross-sectional study design was done and simple random sampling technique was used. Quantitative research methodologies were used in data generation and analysis. Data was collected in April (2019), n=59 students were involved. SPSSv26 and Excel were used in quantitative data analysis. N=59 participants involved; Females (54%) and Males (46%). Aged between 10-19 years; attending year 1 to 4 of secondary school education.  Gadgets used for social networking were smartphones (88%), personal computers (8%) and iPads (4%). The social network sites that were used were Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter and WhatsApp. The study further observed that some students are bullied on social media platforms. The purpose for use of these social network sites was for the following reasons; entertainment (45%), keep in contact with old friends (39%), make new friends (10%) and academic purposes (9%). Adolescents are using social network sites in secondary schools. If the use of social media platforms can be well utilized, it may result in improved education among learners in low income settings like Malawi.

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