WebProNews

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have released a study that says social networks like MySpace and Facebook offer educational benefits.

The study found that low-income students are just as technologically savvy as their peers, going against what previous research has indicated.

The majority (94%) of students use the Internet, 82 percent go online at home and 77 percent have a profile on a social networking site. As for the educational benefits, the students listed technology skills first, followed by creativity and being open to new views and communication skills.

"What we found was that students using social networking sites are actually practicing the kinds of 21st century skills we want them to develop to be successful today," said Christine Greenhow, a learning technologies researcher in the university's College of Education and Human Development and principal investigator of the study.

"Students are developing a positive attitude towards using technology systems, editing and customizing content and thinking about online design and layout. The Web sites offer tremendous educational potential."

The study contradicted research from Pew in 2005 that said there was a "digital divide" among low-income students. That study found that Internet usage of teens from families earning $30,000 or less was limited to 73 percent, which is 21 percent below what the University of Minnesota research found.

"By understanding how students may be positively using these networking technologies in their daily lives and where the as yet unrecognized educational opportunities are, we can help make schools even more relevant, connected and meaningful to kids," said Greenhow.