Implementation and Measurement of Technology Enabled Social Learning in Engineering Education

Abstract

Creation of a technology enabled social learning ecosystem was started as an experiment in 2014 at the BMS College of Engineering, in partnership with WIKSATE. This platform available to the students for use anytime, anywhere, in any smart device, enabled them to connect and share with their peers 24x7, and learn as they interact even while on the move. The implementation of the platform was expanded gradually over the years to support all the departments and courses. This platform is now available to the entire college. With over 3500 students actively engaged in supplementing their formal education with social learning, the BMS College of Engineering is now the largest social learning ecosystem in India. The WIKSATE platform provides the students at the BMS College of Engineering, a powerful interaction engine to connect and share their learnings with their co-learners in a knowledge network. Further, this platform provides real-time data to faculty which give insight into student preferences and engagement and help plan continuous improvements in the course delivery and outcome. It also helps promoting a culture of openness and moderated learning providing a vital bridge to close the gap between educators and students. The results from the social learning analytics show that students have a natural motivation and inquisitiveness to get involved in interactions when empowered by a mobile centric ubiquitous access to knowledge networks. The results also show a steady growth of student interactions at all levels after their induction into the ecosystem.