Can e-Learning Benefit From Social Networking?

Learning is traditionally done in groups with lots of people and discussion between teacher and student, student and student. e-Learning takes away from that by creating learning that is student and computer program. Lost in the learning process is the discussion that makes the student think about the subject and helps them learn quicker. People learn better in groups and when they can discuss their subject with the teacher and with other students. Discussion is undervalued and nearly nonexistent in the e-Learning process.
That's where social networking could come into place. According to News Wire Today Jonathan Bishop, a director of e-learning firm Glamorgan Blended Learning, believes that social networking can help people learn in an e-Learning environment.
"There is a difference between what a learner can achieve by themselves and what they can achieve with the support of their peers… the Circle of Friends allows learners to build networks of people who can support them in their learning… learning is a social process it seems natural to use social technologies to enhance learning, and creating e-learning systems that are persuasive, adaptable, sociable and sustainable seems to be in the interests of both learners and teachers."
Do you think e-learning can benefit from a social networking system on their sites?
~admin