E-Learning 2.0: A Case Study Exploring the Integration of Social Media Into Online Courses

© 2017 by IGI Global. All rights reserved. This paper presents a case study involving the design, development, and teaching of two online courses based on e-learning 2.0 concepts and use of social web tools and technologies. Guided by the connectivism theory of learning, the courses were designed to integrate e-learning through social media. Blogs, podcasts, social networking, social bookmarking, and Wikis were utilized as fundamental course components. Participants included students in two graduate-level online courses in instructional technology. Details of the design and construction of each course are examined, as well as impacts on students\u27 learning experiences. Students\u27 perceptions of social media as a tool to facilitate classroom community are discussed, as well as their feelings of connectedness and learning, and their opinions regarding teacher-student and student-student classroom interactions. Results show that students\u27 experiences were very positive and that an e-learning 2.0 approach in online courses can enhance learner-to-instructor and learner-to-learner interaction, and increase students\u27 perception of classroom community