Study also finds that low-income students, contrary to recent studies, are
in many ways just as technologically savvy as their counterparts
MINNEAPOLIS and ST. PAUL, Minn., June 20 /PRNewswire/ -- In a first-of-
its-kind study, researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered
the educational benefits of social networking sites such as MySpace and
Facebook. The same study found that low-income students are in many ways
just as technologically proficient as their counterparts, going against
what results from previous studies have suggested.
The study found that, of the students observed, 94 percent used the
Internet, 82 percent go online at home and 77 percent had a profile on a
social networking site. When asked what they learn from using social
networking sites, the students listed technology skills as the top lesson,
followed by creativity, being open to new or diverse views and
communication skills.
To watch a video about the study and a full interview with the lead
researcher, visit:
http://www1.umn.edu/urelate/newsservice/Multimedia_Videos/social_network.ht
m
Data were collected over six months this year from students, ages 16 to
18, in thirteen urban high schools in the Midwest. Beyond the surveyed
students, a follow-up, randomly selected subset were asked questions about
their Internet activity as they navigated MySpace, an online forum that
provides users with e-mail, web communities and audio and video
capabilities.
"What we found was that students using social networking sites are
actually practicing the kinds of 21st century skills we want them to
develop to be successful today," said Christine Greenhow, a learning
technologies researcher in the university's College of Education and Human
Development and principal investigator of the study. "Students are
developing a positive attitude towards using technology systems, editing
and customizing content and thinking about online design and layout.
They're also sharing creative original work like poetry and film and
practicing safe and responsible use of information and technology. The Web
sites offer tremendous educational potential."
Greenhow said that the study's results, while proving that social
networking sites offer more than just social fulfillment or professional
networking, also have implications for educators, who now have a vast
opportunity to support what students are learning on the Web sites.
"Now that we know what skills students are learning and what
experiences they're being exposed to, we can help foster and extend those
skills," said Greenhow. "As educators, we always want to know where our
students are coming from and what they're interested in so we can build on
that in our teaching. By understanding how students may be positively using
these networking technologies in their daily lives and where the as yet
unrecognized educational opportunities are, we can help make schools even
more relevant, connected and meaningful to kids."
Interestingly, researchers found that very few students in the study
were actually aware of the academic and professional networking
opportunities that the Web sites provide. Making this opportunity more
known to students, Greenhow said, is just one way that educators can work
with students and their experiences on social networking sites.
The study also goes against previous research from Pew in 2005 that
suggests a "digital divide" where low-income students are technologically
impoverished. That study found that Internet usage of teenagers from
families earning $30,000 or below was limited to 73 percent, which is 21
percentage points below what the U of M research shows. The students
participating in the U of M study were from families whose incomes were at
or below the county median income (at or below $25,000) and were taking
part in an after school program, Admission Possible, aimed at improving
college access for low-income youth.
Greenhow suggests that educators can help students realize even more
benefits from their social network site use by working to deepen students'
still emerging ideas about what it means to be a good digital citizen and
leader online.
Contact: Patty Mattern, University News Service, (612) 624-2801
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SOURCE University of Minnesota
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CONTACT:
Patty Mattern, University News Service of
University of Minnesota, +1-612-624-2801
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