Added Values and Challenges Social Media Represent in the Hybridisation of Teacher Training

Abstract

Today digital technology plays a central role within important areas of society such as business, entertainment, transportation, art, education, and of course the media industry. The interesting question now becomes: How do students of our time acquire information? How do they find their way to knowledge? – Students use social media to communicate and to obtain information. Teacher students’ activities in social media are high, both to nurture friendship and for professional development (Helleve, Almås & Bjørkelo, 2013). Higher education institutions are still primarily relying on traditional learning management systems (LMS). Research on what student says about being and learning in a formal online classroom (Nilsen, Almås & Krumsvik, 2013) indicates that students learning are social and that they create supporting arenas (Facebook and Twitter) in addition to the pedagogical platform the institution offers. But also newly qualified teachers establish, maintain and develop digital networks as an important source of development in the school subject and subject didactics (Engvik, 2014).