THE USE OF SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES AS AN INNOVATIVE TOOL AT UNIVERSITY: FACEBOOK AS A COLLABORATIVE LEARNING TOOL IN IMMUNOLOGY.

Abstract

Nowadays, University teachers face the challenge of teaching the so-called “Y generation”, students born between 1980 and 2000, who haven't experienced their lives without the Internet or the mobile phone. This has a direct consequence on their approach to knowledge and, therefore, to the learning styles, which are completely different to those of former generations. This fact, together with the implementation of new degrees more in line with the European convergence process and the ECTS credit system, and following the educative challenges included in the new European Space of Higher Education (EEES), makes it necessary to implement new forms of communication between pupils and teachers in the university context. Although most universities already make use of different e-Learning tools, their use and implementation can sometimes be insufficient. In this scenery, on the contrary, the social networking sites and their extended use by students, who check their profiles and groups very often, offer a lot of possibilities, as they allow a fast, easy and flexible communication. In the present project of teaching innovation, we have combined the use of a Facebook group with the traditional resources used in Immunology, so that this social networking site becomes a support tool to share materials and information. In the same sense, we look for a new atmosphere where a more direct communication between students and teachers is possible, without avoiding the more formal forms of communication such as the email or Moodle. This has allowed us to evaluate its use, participation and satisfaction, both between the students and the teachers taking part in the project.