Abstract :
The vogue of using social media increased rapidly among students which might reduce their learning time. This study aimed at developing a spoken social networking website that so-called VOALK.COM, it provides users not only with services such writing posts, comments and chatting but also enables them to listen to what they write in seven spoken languages depending on google (TTS) text to speech API. It enables users to search their posts on the internet. In addition to the possibility to upload and archive files in several formats such as PDF, PPT etc. and search youtube and Soundcloud which could be used educationally. Moreover, the developed website enables teachers to upload educational apps in SWF format, create open and multiple-choice questions followed by statistics and histograms for students responses, it takes into consideration the preference of users such as selecting the colour themes, the written/spoken interface language and the privacy of their profiles. Through an online sample of 38 instructional technology students at faculties of education in Egypt, the data was collected based on two Likert-type questionnaires to know the effects of using the developed website VOALK on the time they spend using other social network websites, their attitudes toward the developed website and which services they use for educational purpose beside social communication. The results show significant indicators in students attitudes toward the developed websites and the use of its services in their educational and social communication as well. In addition, the results show significant differences in reducing the time that the majority of the sample spend on other social networking websites in favour of provided services by the developed website.
Keywords :
"Social network services","Electronic learning","Irrigation","Electronic mail","Media","Writing"
