Social Software and Digital Competences

Abstract

The use of the Internet and technology has become an integral part of daily life. An important aspect has been the rise of social software and a wide variety of services, from instant messaging to social networking, are now used by millions of people across the world. The opportunity to use these services is no longer restricted to a personal computer because most are also easily accessible by mobile phones. The challenge is how to effectively use what is essentially a social and leisure phenomenon as something that can add value to teaching and enhance learning. New and innovative approaches to education are required but effectively responding to this challenge requires the development of a new range of so-called digital competences.