Exploring hashtags collaboratively to facilitate learning and knowledge construction

Abstract

In the era of mobile learning and digital native students, concepts like seamless learning, situated learning and rhizomatic learning gain importance as the current technology is able to support them by developing new kinds of applications for mobile devices. At the same time, social network platforms like Twitter are also being studied as a way to boost communication supporting collaborative knowledge construction since they are available everywhere and students are familiar with their use. This paper highlights an experience in which a mobile application called FeedbackApp was developed and used for these purposes. The main characteristic of this application is that it uses various ways to explore the information generated while searching and sharing information and discussing the learning topics, using concept maps, geographical maps and text lists. A preliminary experience shows that this application might encourage students to be more participative in discussions and exchange of ideas.