COVID-19 Pandemic: The Impact of the Social Media Technology on Higher Education

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic led universities to transform the traditional teaching methodologies into distance education. Therefore, social media has become progressively prominent as teaching and learning resources in universities. Several studies have been conducted for the development of social media as a learning tool. However, there is limited empirical evidence supporting this claim. The present study bridges the gap in the literature concerning the value of the use of social media in higher education. This research seeks to examine the impact of the use of social media in (a) enhancing teaching and learning in universities, (b) motivating and supporting students and (c) developing community connection. A qualitative methodology was adopted. Specifically, in-depth interviews were conducted to assess the effectiveness of social media on students learning in higher education. The results showed that the use of social media by higher educational institutions positively impacts the educational process by (a) promoting teaching and learning, (b) motivating students to be active participants, and (c) establishing connections in the university community. Some obstacles in the teaching and learning process were also identified. Future areas of research are proposed.

The Barcelona Conference on Education 2022: Official Conference Proceedings

“…Furthermore, interactive technologies such as interactive whiteboards help learners easily acquire knowledge and understand the concepts better, and thus teaching-learning becomes effective and productive. Additionally, social media motivates and supports students and teachers to adopt the learning environment in the most effective approach and maintain better community relations (Akilbekovna, 2021;Papademetriou et al, 2022). However, teaching in the present schools requires knowledgeable and skilful teachers in using computers and other technology tools (Sunanda, 2015).…”

Social Media and its Efficacy in Teaching and Learning English for ESL Learners: A Systematic Literature Review

“…The advancement in ICT and online technologies had influenced a person's life and the latest and most powerful one nowadays is the social networking sites consist of social media and other Web 2.0 technologies. People use social media for interacting, sharing images and videos, engaging in conversation, searching for news, playing games, and any aspects that promote networking, communication, and collaboration (Papademetriou et al, 2022). Joosten (2012) defined social media as numerous sets of technological systems connected to cooperation and community while Kietzmann et al (2011) added that it must include highly interactive platforms via mobile and web-based technologies that enable the consumers and communities to share, co-create, discuss, and modify user-generated content.…”

The impacts of COVID-19-induced online lectures on the teaching and learning process: An inquiring study of junior secondary schools in Orlu, Nigeria

“…There is no denying the fact that Nigeria loves a fire-brigade approach to issues (1). This position was attested to and played out during the emergence of the global pandemic known as the COVID-19 pandemic (2)(3)(4). This pandemic impacted all sectors of global society (5,6), with educational institutions bearing the brunt of the damage .…”

“…(2,3). Its impacts on the education sector remain highly felt and of utmost concern (2)(3)(4). This is because the growth and development of every society or nation depend a lot on the progress of its education sector (7).…”

“…This pandemic impacted all sectors of global society ( 5 , 6 ), with educational institutions bearing the brunt of the damage ( 2 , 3 ). Its impacts on the education sector remain highly felt and of utmost concern ( 2 – 4 ). This is because the growth and development of every society or nation depend a lot on the progress of its education sector ( 7 ).…”