Online social network to engage students meaning making in Shakespearean drama

Abstract

Technology has become an integral part of everyone’s life. Students nowadays are adept at using technology especially online social network such as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and so on in their everyday life. This has helped them to connect and communicate with friends and relatives easily. It also helps them to develop and connect meaning from their inner world to the outside world. It is important for teachers to take this opportunity to integrate online social network in the teaching and learning processes as it may encourage engagement and enjoyment among students. In the case of introducing Shakespearean drama in literature lessons, technology in the form of social media can become an effective platform for students to become active meaning makers. Through a case study of twenty teacher trainees, this paper uncovers how Shakespearean drama can be taught and learnt through online social network in particular Facebook. The findings generally show that when students got to express their thoughts and feelings through Facebook they were able to develop their linguistic, cultural and personal competence as they connect and communicate personal meaning openly which in turn encouraged participation in classroom learning.