Collaboration in Social Applications: True Story, Case-Study

This paper contributes to the exploration of the virtual environment of social applications for educational purposes in the university setting from students' perspective. Latest results and findings from a repeated research on utilization of social applications are presented. The aspect of real cooperation and sharing study materials among students either on the voluntary basis or on the basis of teacher's instructions forms the core of the research which was conducted last year with full-time students and this year with part-time students. There was a significant assumption that part-time students will be in much greater use of social applications for study purposes and there will be if not enthusiastic so at least sincere willingness to collaborate in virtual space due to the fact that time for physical attendance of classes is limited to two or maximum three afternoon sessions with their lecturer within one-semester. Results brought unexpected findings showing much lower involvement of part-time students into cooperation and collaboration than involvement of full-time students. 70% of full-time students contributed into learning management system on the basis of teacher's instructions but no findings were gained in part-time students respectively part-time students didn't mention any activity and showed no involvement. Another stunning finding applies to future to the potential of social applications for study purposes perceived by students; numbers are lower than numbers showing current use of social application for study purposes. Development of trends in acceptance, utilization and satisfaction with social software applications in higher education on a limited scale of local university was monitored for four years within national educational projects. Evaluation of the modern technologies contributing towards forming and development of university students' competences. and within a follow up Excellence project. The ICT reflection within cognitive process development'. All surveys were run from students' perspective. This current study is conducted within the frame of a new grant project. The influence of social media and mobile technologies on formation of optimal model of teaching'.