Use of Microblogging, Social Networking, and Short Messages in E-learning for Information Culture Building

Abstract

This work examines the effect of microblogging, social networking, and short messaging in e-learning on the process of information culture formation. The study takes an experimental training course "The Psychology of Management" designed with Moodle, which implies the use of Instagram, and applies it to a sample of master’s level students. Learners were recruited from the Higher School of Economics and Business (Al-Farabi Kazakh National University) together with the Institute of Economics and Management in Agribusiness (Russian State Agrarian University - Timiryazev Moscow Agricultural Academy (RSAU – MTAA)). Students were asked to briefly express their thoughts, attitudes, and views toward the given topic on Instagram by creating blog posts and leave motivational and constructive comments under the blogs of other group members. The emotional responses of learners to the innovative style of teaching (i.e., the use of blogs) and its effect on the learning process were assessed using surveys. The study discusses the effect of blogging on Instagram as an educational tool. The majority of respondents reported a positive effect of blogs. According to learners, the use of Instagram gave the learning journey a makeover, making it relevant, effortless, and consistent. The use of blogs was found to create favorable conditions for collaborative learning, creative self-expression, and systematization of knowledge and experiences. Students reported that doing blogs was entertaining, motivating, and beneficial to their critical thinking, writing skills, and communication competency.