Academic use of custom social networks in translation training

Abstract

The widespread application of e-learning in traditional learning contexts can be justified only if it offers results that are better than those previously achieved. Research into the academic use of social networks has focused on a range of fields including learner motivation and sense of community. This area of study seeks to disprove the negative ideas inherent in such networks and create communication spaces similar to those provided by existing social networking sites, but with the fundamental objectives of education and teaching. The pedagogical value of this tool is analyzed and evaluated for the purpose of improving the new didactic methods used in the classroom through incorporating communication means that are more familiar to students. We created a social network on the online platform Ning, which enabled us to create a personalized social network for the course ‘Translation 6: Legal, Economic, and Commercial (English into Spanish)’. Our analysis of the users’ interactions with the platform revealed high participation and numerous visits to the social network. On average, the students accessed the site once or twice daily to communicate with their teacher or classmates about the coursework or to reference available materials, among other activities.