THE POTENTIAL OF SOCIAL NETWORKS AS AUXILIARY PEDAGOGICAL TOOLS IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE CONTEXT OF MEDIATIZED KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTION

This paper aims to discuss the pedagogical potential of virtual social networks as alternative auxiliary tools in the scope of Higher education. In a context of increasing mediatization of knowledge production, these tools are pointed out by specialists as a good resource for the teaching-learning process and adaptation to students new times and cognitive dynamics in a cultural environment marked by the increase of new digital technologies. The article is based on a bibliographic research from the perspectives of authors in the areas of Communication and University Pedagogy. We conclude that these new media have several complementary advantages to conventional educational practices and environments, such as the fact that they are alternative learning spaces more relaxed, free, motivating, challenging, with the possibility of fostering the collaborative production of knowledge and bringing together students and teachers, as well as being more accessible and less costly in financial terms.