Integrating Social Networking Tools into ESL Writing Classroom: Strengths and Weaknesses

1. Methodology

1.1. Research Design integrates SNS which is an online platform used to establish social networks among individuals who share interests and activities, these could be Facebook, Blog, Twitter, and so on.

1.2. Procedure: The participants were requested to answer the questions and interact with each other through the online discussion board. After two weeks, the data were coded, categorized and interpreted.

1.3. Instrument: three open ended questions.

2. Results

2.1. Students not often use social networking services in learning a foreign language. The majority of the students found the usage of social networking services offers a lot of benefits. Responsible e-learners develop thinking skills and brainstorming ability. Online interaction suggest a variety of activities to motivate students to participate energetically

3. CONCLUSION

3.1. Technology has developed and spread rapidly around the world in the last decades. A Social Networking Service (SNS) is an online platform to create online social relations among individuals who share interests, opinions, events and activities. The widely used SNS are Facebook, Twitter, My Space and LinkedIn, among others. Besides all the technological advances, and different usages people can give to the these platforms, technology has also developed in a variety of fields and domains, and Educations is one of the fields where classroom experiences have become more interesting by including, and empowering the usage of technology tools.

4. Purpose and participants

4.1. Fifteen third-year TESL students (e males and 12 females) in a state university in Malaysia.

4.2. To investigate the advantages and disadvantages of integrating social networking tools into ESL writing classroom and discuss the ways to plan activities by integrating social networking services (SNSs) into the classroom.

5. Advantages and Disadvantages of Integrating SNSs into ESL Writing Classroom

5.1. Disadvantages

5.1.1. Students’ distraction

5.1.2. Real text difficult for learners to read

5.1.3. use of nonacademic terminology

5.1.4. Reduced time interaction between teacher and learners

5.1.5. Students copy and paste

5.1.6. Teacher investing a lot time on searching what will be posted

5.1.7. Difficulties to read online materials

5.2. Advantages

5.2.1. Increase the students’ motivation and build confidence in learning writing

5.2.2. Plenty of activities that can be planned through social networking

5.2.3. Students are able to share more than just their thoughts

5.2.4. Interaction in the classroom

5.2.5. Multimedia interaction

5.2.6. Self-directed learning

6. Personal Comments

6.1. It is important to integrate Social Networking into ESL teaching practice in order to benefit students learning. It could be useful if it is used pedagogically on the location and early planning.

6.2. Shy students feel more confident to participate by using online tools and this is and advantage to take into consideration when planning our lessons. No-student left behind would be the perfect slogan for our future e-learning activities.

7. Key Words

7.1. Social Networking Service (SNS), students, interaction, learning , Facebook, ELS writing