Perception of Students about social media as learning tool at Higher Secondary level in Islamabad

Abstract

This study explores the perception of higher secondary science students in Islamabad, Pakistan, regarding social media as a learning tool. The COVID-19 pandemic's shift to online education prompted the research, recognizing the integral role social media plays in daily life and e-learning opportunities. The research objectives are to understand students' perceptions of using social media for learning, to identify positive perceptions of using social media for learning, and to investigate negative perceptions of using social media for learning. The methodology involved a descriptive survey design using a questionnaire distributed to a sample of 316 students from five randomly selected colleges in Sectors I and H of Islamabad. Data analysis focused on descriptive statistics like means, frequencies, and percentages. The findings revealed that student perceptions towards the positive and negative aspects of using social media for learning. The research significance lies in informing policymakers when creating laws and regulations for social media use by students, guiding teachers on effectively utilizing social media for student learning, helping curriculum developers design programs that leverage social media, and encouraging students to become independent learners through social media. This research contributes to the ongoing discussion about harnessing the potential of social media in education while mitigating its negative aspects.

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