USE OF SOCIAL NETWORKS FOR THE TRAINING OF FUTURE TEACHERS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Abstract

Currently, social networks have a great potential in the educational field, being useful to promote motivation, the active role of students, communication or flexibility in time and space, among others. In this line, this paper shows an experience of educational innovation in higher education mediated by the use of social networks. Specifically, the social network Instagram was used with students in the second year of the Early Childhood Education Degree at the University of Jaen. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of the use of social networks on aspects related to the quality of the educational process, such as motivation, creativity, communication or monitoring. In order to respond to the proposed objective, a quantitative methodology was used, with a descriptive method and a survey design. The data collection instrument was a student questionnaire through which the impact of the use of the social network Instagram in the teaching-learning process was evaluated. The results point to a positive effect of the use of social networks on the variables under study. It should be noted how the use of this social network has influenced the motivation towards their learning and the communication processes that were developed with all those involved.