Mind, Media, Learning Revisited | Wk 6: Discussion Synthesis - Instructor | Forum

The class provided nuanced arguments for the use of media in education. One take-away is that research lacks consensus about the educational benefits and drawbacks. Media, such as social network sites and microblogs can benefit learning and/or educational purposes in several ways. First, SNSs can help students develop a social support system and bridge home-school. Madison pointed out that SNSs can be valuable in that students can bring their “home cultures” into their learning environment. Belonging to a network you can tap wherever you are — what Ellison et al. term ‘maintained social capital’ (2007) — can be important for children in foster care, for immigrant families, for high school to college transitions, and more. Second, educators seeking to develop more culturally responsive community contexts can leverage social media (e.g., home cultures, online cultures that students inhabit).

On the other hand, you argued that media, like social network sites and microblogs, can also be digital distractions that negatively impact learning depending on how they are used (Junco, 2012); features of the same media can positively or negatively impact learning (such as time spent on Facebook generally versus sharing resources or checking in with friends).

Considering “what constitutes knowledge and learning is crucial while trying to make sense of the role of social network sites and microblogs in educational settings” (Selin). As Brittney points out, these studies frame what they value as “learning” and “education” somewhat differently. Junco (2012) is concerned mainly with academic outcomes in formal learning environments (i.e., grades and GPA) rather than the social-emotional supports for higher education that Ellison and her team prioritize or Robelia’s study which locates learning as informal, unintentional within interest-driven networks.

Aspects of a compelling, well-argued research study:
Establish importance of the problem/research quickly
Connect to a contemporary issue
Connection to practical impact
Clear definitions for a broad audience
A new angle or insight on established theory
Convincing review of relevant literature: it is clear the author knows what’s been done before
Strength of the methods (e.g., validated measures)
Results present a counter-intuitive and/or timely finding (e.g., Facebook use is related to higher levels of self-reported bridging social capital, particularly for students who reported low levels of self-esteem and life satisfaction.)
Discussion which pulls it all together
Structure and sign-posting in the writing
“Acknowledge the limitations and/or alternative explanations for what is being presented”
Trifecta: theory impact, research impact, practical impact, & surprising/counter-intuitive

Questions
1) What connections were you making between this week’s readings and the previous week’s readings and/or your own research?
2) How, if at all, is the pandemic causing you to rethink your understanding of “mind,” or “media,” or “learning?”
3) What techniques of the “most compelling” paper will you/can you use in your article?