Critical success factors to improve interactions in online social learning environment

Abstract

Concurrent with the changes of students' interest towards learning through the online learning medium is the existence of social networking tools that have attracted the students' attention. In additional, various types of social media with unique features make the potential of educational used wider through this medium. Interaction is essential in online social learning environment. This is because it is the key to measure the successful learning in online platform. Thus, instructors need to find ways to improve interactions either with peers or with instructors in online social learning environment to foster successful learning. Thus, we have suggested Critical Success Factors (CSF) to improve interaction particularly in an online social learning environment. We have recommended five CSF which are structure and design of Social Networking Sites (SNS), sense of belonging, instructional support, student readiness and course design to be used in online social learning environment in order to improve interactions and to enhance students' learning.