Transforming rural education through social networks
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56931/sel.2024.e6Abstract
Social network, initially designed for personal interaction, have shown great potential in rural education as tools to facilitate learning, improve communication, and provide access to pedagogical resources. This study, conducted in three rural communities in Ecuador, analyzes how these platforms are used in educational contexts with technological limitations. Through semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and participant observation, information was collected on the perceptions and practices of 18 teachers, 10 students, and 2 school administrators. The results reveal that platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook are widely accepted for their accessibility and ease of use. However, their pedagogical integration is limited and focuses mostly on the distribution of tasks and materials, leaving aside more advanced collaborative approaches. Among the challenges identified are the lack of stable connectivity, insufficient technological resources, and the need for teacher training. However, significant opportunities are seen to transform these tools into dynamic learning engines, especially by designing strategies that promote participation and the development of digital skills. With proper planning, social networks can play an important role in improving rural education by closing access gaps and fostering educational equity in disadvantaged communities.
References
Altamirano-Pazmiño, M., Guaña-Moya, J., Arteaga-Alcívar, Y., Patiño-Hernández, L., Chipuxi-Fajardo, L., & Flores-Cabrera, P. (2022). Uso de las herramientas digitales en la educación virtual en Ecuador. RISTI - Revista Iberica de Sistemas e Tecnologias de Informacao, 2022(E54), 194-202.
Baguma, R., Bagarukayo, E., Namubiru, P., Brown, C., & Mayisela, T. (2019). Using WhatsApp in Teaching to Develop Higher Order Thinking Skills—A Literature Review Using the Activity Theory Lens. International Journal of Education and Development Using Information and Communication Technology, 15(2), 98-116.
Camas Garrido, L., Valero Moya, A., & Vendrell Morancho, M. (2021). The Teacher-Student Relationship in the Use of Social Network Sites for Educational Purposes: A Systematic Review. Journal of New Approaches in Educational Research, 10(1), 137-156. https://doi.org/10.7821/naer.2021.1.591 DOI: https://doi.org/10.7821/naer.2021.1.591
Dahdal, S. (2020). Using the WhatsApp Social Media Application for Active Learning. Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 49(2), 239-249. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047239520928307 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0047239520928307
Guerrero-Ocampo, S. B., & Díaz-Puente, J. M. (2023). Social Network Analysis Uses and Contributions to Innovation Initiatives in Rural Areas: A Review. Sustainability, 15(18), Article 18. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151814018 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su151814018
Handayani, E. T., & Aminatun, D. (2020). Students’ point of view on the use of WhatsApp group to elevate writing ability. Journal of English Language Teaching and Learning, 1(2), 31-37. https://doi.org/10.33365/jeltl.v1i2.602 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33365/jeltl.v1i2.602
Hernández-Rodríguez, V. M., Escalona-Maurice, M. J., Espinosa-Morales, J. C., & Ortega-Méndez, C. I. (2023). Perception of and adaptability to the effects of climate change in a rural community of the State of Mexico. Agro Productividad. https://doi.org/10.32854/agrop.v16i10.2683 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32854/agrop.v16i10.2683
Hidayat, Y., Hidayat, T., Mariawati, A., Rosmiati, R., & Haq, V. N. (2022). WhatsApp Group: Online Media for Early Childhood Learning during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Journal Corner of Education, Linguistics, and Literature, 2(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.54012/jcell.v2i2.76 DOI: https://doi.org/10.54012/jcell.v2i2.76
Manca, S. (2020). Snapping, pinning, liking or texting: Investigating social media in higher education beyond Facebook. The Internet and Higher Education, 44, 100707. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iheduc.2019.100707 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iheduc.2019.100707
Mutambara, D., & Bayaga, A. (2021). Determinants of mobile learning acceptance for STEM education in rural areas. Computers & Education, 160, 104010. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2020.104010 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2020.104010
Naghdipour, B., & Manca, S. (2023). Teaching presence in students’ WhatsApp groups: Affordances for language learning. E-Learning and Digital Media, 20(3), 282-299. https://doi.org/10.1177/20427530221107968 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/20427530221107968
Quinto, G. E. M., Cuenca, A. G. M., Pilozo, S. I. I., & Miño, R. M. A. (2024). Estrategias para Mejorar la Calidad de la Educación en Zonas Rurales de Ecuador. Ciencia Latina Revista Científica Multidisciplinar, 8(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.37811/cl_rcm.v8i2.10724 DOI: https://doi.org/10.37811/cl_rcm.v8i2.10724
Rodrigues, A. L. (2020). Digital technologies integration in teacher education: The active teacher training model. Journal of E-Learning and Knowledge Society, 16(3), 24-33. https://doi.org/10.20368/1971-8829/1135273
Stenman, S., & Pettersson, F. (2020). Remote teaching for equal and inclusive education in rural areas? An analysis of teachers’ perspectives on remote teaching. The International Journal of Information and Learning Technology, 37(3), 87-98. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJILT-10-2019-0096 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJILT-10-2019-0096
Susilawati, S., & Supriyatno, T. (2020). Online learning through WhatsApp group in improving learning motivation in the era and post pandemic COVID -19. Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, Dan Pengembangan, 5(6), Article 6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17977/jptpp.v5i6.13670
Torres Lara, K., Peñaherrera Larenas, F., Gaibor Gaibor, J., & Castro López, G. (2024). Brecha Digital y Desigualdad Educativa en Contextos Rurales. Polo del Conocimiento, 9(11), 2097-2106. https://doi.org/10.23857/pc.v9i11.8472
Zayed, H. (2021). Researching Digital Sociality: Using WhatsApp to Study Educational Change. Journal of Digital Social Research, 3(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.33621/jdsr.v3i2.80 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33621/jdsr.v3i2.80
Zhao, Y., Zhao, M., & Shi, F. (2024). Integrating Moral Education and Educational Information Technology: A Strategic Approach to Enhance Rural Teacher Training in Universities. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 15(3), 15053-15093. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-023-01693-z DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-023-01693-z
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
