summary

In terms of information learning through social networking technology, as the results of the surveys and in-depth interviews showed, informal learning occurred in a social constructive manner where students, instructors, and other community members collaborated, conversed, shared knowledge, and helped each other to gain better understanding of the subject matter through vigorous discussion. Social networking technologies such as Facebook allow members to participate in a learning environment where the learning process can occur interchangeably from both inside and outside of the classroom.

From the aforementioned, majority of students tend to visit social networking websites for the purpose of entertainment which is how they enjoy their time after class. In addition, they tend to use these sites because they provide an effective and comfortable way of learning and for the flexibility of being able to spend time on these websites. However, some of the students believe that visiting social network websites is important because they build connections between students and professionals. Another reason is that traditional styles of learning provide very little information on the study topics which forces students to shift to social networking tools to meet their educational needs.

However, the execution of certain class activities such as lectures, homework, assignments, and participation (both in-class and virtual) must be well organized. Instructors should employ different learning strategies that are well suited for them-selves, while constantly remaining aware of the importance of keeping the interaction fun, honest, and most importantly articulated.

To summarize, the successful use of Social Networking technology in service of social constructivist learning and the increased value of using the tool is substantial to both students and instructors. For the instructors, this can be summarized with the following points:

For academic leaders;

· Gaining feedback from students

· Constant communication with students

· Produce an effective instructional technology to the students, a key recipe to orientation towards change and decision-making.

Generally, social networking sites have great potential for the future by expanding teaching and learning beyond the classroom. It provides users with a familiar and easy to use technology, which could easily be adapted from use in a personal setting to use in an educational setting as well as leadership development. The smooth transition from using social networks at their own leisure to using them in a group setting provided great incentive for all parties to embrace the adaptation process and orientation towards change. This, subsequently provide lively and meaningful social interaction and leadership development.

Thus, we conclude that social networking technology can be used effectively to foster a culture of learning, as a learning tool within the learning community. Further research on mobile learning through smartphones, as well as different strategies to transcend from informal to formal learning should be investigated.