Description:
The candidate must submit an annotated bibliography as part of the Specialization Library
Thesis. Be sure to review the APA Publication Manual for proper annotated bibliography
formatting. The draft annotated bibliography must include the minimum at least two research
studies with data for each side of the discussion (four total) and at least three peer- reviewed
expert sources for each side of the issue (six total), properly cited and referenced.
The candidate must also submit an outline of the planned Specialization Library Thesis including
the major topics to be discussed in the paper.
Topic
Academic Uses of Social Media Technology in Education
SUMMERY The study intends to investigate the academic applications of social media in education, concentrating on its effects on English teachers in high schools.
The thesis will thoroughly investigate the disagreement surrounding this matter and present respectable opinions from specialists on both sides.
Numerous primary sources and big data from research will be used to support the topic.
The rationale for Choosing the Topic
The use of social media in students’ daily lives has become pervasive, and its potential effects on education are a source of both tremendous curiosity and worry (Chen et al., 2022).
Considering the advantages and difficulties of utilizing social media technology in the classroom as a high school English teacher is crucial for successful instruction and student participation.
Through critical analysis of possible hazards and negative effects related to social media technology in education, this topic will allow me to investigate cutting-edge teaching techniques.
Personal Growth Objectives
I hope to gain an in-depth comprehension of the academic applications of social media in the classroom.
By critically assessing multiple points of view and using primary sources to support arguments, I can improve my research and capacity for analysis.
I purpose to improve my capacity to address conflicts among those involved in education and develop workable solutions.
I also aspire to learn how to incorporate social media technology into my instructional methods while ensuring it aligns with educational goals.
Reflection on Program and Specialization
The Capstone project will solidify and connect my program-related learning, particularly to my area of expertise as a high school English teacher.
I will be able to use it by applying the knowledge and abilities I have learned across the program to a genuine educational problem.
To examine and explain the academic applications of social media technology in education, this assignment will necessitate me to draw on my mastery of the program’s basic curriculum and my particular expertise.
The Capstone experience will show my capacity for critical thought, interaction with academic literature, and contribution to education through comprehensive research and thoughtful evaluation.
Conclusion
An interesting opportunity for individual and professionally-related growth exists with the authorized Capstone project on the academic application of social media technology in education.
I will obtain an in-depth comprehension of the problem by investigating many viewpoints and providing a fair analysis.
The project will give me the knowledge and abilities to resolve conflicts among educational stakeholders and make wise judgments.
In general, the Capstone experience will demonstrate my expertise in program material and area of focus while also allowing me to advance professionally as a high school English teacher.
Academic Uses of Social Media Technology in Education
Introduction
Social media technology is among the innovations that have become an integral part of human beings in the contemporary world. Social media is the digital technology that promotes the sharing of multimedia and text through virtual platforms and communities (Raut & Patil, 2016). Platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, Tiktok, and WeChat have successfully improved human interactions. Social media has been adopted in various aspects of life. For instance, the platforms are used for entertainment, creating new connections, and promoting education. Social media technology allows people to create social networks globally (Raut & Patil, 2016). As a result, the technology has been integrated into different industries. Social media technology has multiple uses in different fields. In this case, we use available literature to provide various uses of social media technology in the education sector.
Social Media in Education
Social media has become a crucial part of the education sector. Learning institutions, educators, and students have adopted social media technology to facilitate providing and acquiring knowledge in schools. Social media promotes critical thinking and diversifies the students’ learning experience (Raut & Patil, 2016). Additionally, social media promotes communication skills among students as they interact with diverse learning materials from digital platforms. Social media technology has positive and negative uses in education. Therefore, there is a need for the users to monitor the usage to ensure appropriate and beneficial usage of the technology. Primarily, effective use of social media in education requires monitoring to ensure productive learning.
Positive Uses of Social Media Technology in Education
The use of social media in the education sector must be considered. In the present world, learning institutions have adopted social media technology to improve the convenience and dissemination of crucial information. Social media usage in the learning system has promoted the attainment of multiple objectives of education.
Learning and Networking
Social media tools have promoted learning and social networking among students. In contemporary society, learning has been diversified beyond classroom walls. Students use social media platforms such as YouTube to acquire information regarding a concept learned in class (Khan et al., 2021). Additionally, educators make YouTube videos for students to view, thus promoting learning. Notably, social media enables students to stay connected to global learners, thus promoting social learning. Social media technology also allows students to interact with influential people in their career path. Such social interactions are enabled by social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram. Students follow influential people on their social media platforms, where they get inspiration and acquire career-related information (Khan et al., 2021). As a result, the students are inspired to pursue the career of their choice.
Notably, social media technology promotes social networking among learners. Through social media platforms, the learners interact with others from different parts of the world. Platforms such as Twitter connect students to their peers globally, where they discuss different aspects of their courses. For instance, in agriculture and environment-related courses, students use Twitter to discuss global climate change. As a result, the student’s social network creates sustainable solutions to the changes.
Creative Expression
Social media promotes learning outside the classroom. Therefore, it enables expression among students that would otherwise shy from expressing their views regarding a discussion. For instance, WhatsApp has a feature that enables students to create a class group to discuss class matters. In such groups, the students can express themselves without fear of being judged by their peers. Social media technology allows students to express their thoughts through videos, blogs, and photos (Raut & Patil, 2016). For example, students post blogs and photos on a topic on Facebook, WhatsApp, and YouTube, promoting creative expression. As a result, the students have adequate opportunities to explore their talents in the field of learning.
Social media technology also allows students to explore the world revolving around their course of study. Platforms such as Instagram and Facebook allow students to interact with global peers in the same course (Raut & Patil, 2016). Therefore, the students participate effectively in discussions revolving around the courses. As a result, the student’s thoughts and experiences are improved, thus promoting the effectiveness of education. Ideally, social media technology promotes learning by connecting learners to platforms that facilitate creative expression.
Global Exposure
Digital technology contributes immensely to the global experience. Social media is among the technologies that expose learners to global experiences. Platforms such as Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook provide broad opportunities for students to connect with other learners from other parts of the world. As a result, the students acquire diversified knowledge regarding their course of study. Additionally, social media platforms enable students to learn about the traditions, cultures, and lifestyles of different communities worldwide. Such knowledge improves the employability of the student in the future.
Social media also provides students with information regarding their courses through pre-recorded videos. Learning institutions and educators upload videos of classroom sessions or content regarding different courses on their social media platforms (Raut & Patil, 2016). For instance, YouTube has multiple videos of different courses and topics. Students use such videos to improve their understanding of the concepts taught in class. As a result, the students are exposed to the global idea and thoughts regarding their courses. Notably, social media technology enables students to identify their global position. The learners compare the knowledge they acquire in class and that from social media platforms. As a result, the learners acquire diverse knowledge, elevating their position in the world.
Employment Opportunities
The ultimate goal of most learners is to secure employment opportunities after school. However, such opportunities are becoming complex, especially in a local setting. Social media technology plays a crucial role in solving the challenge in the contemporary world. Students acquire information about vacancies in different companies through social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. Organizations post available vacancies on their social media platforms accessible to the students. Notably, influential people on social media platforms post available vacancies in different companies. Therefore, students that follow such people get information about job opportunities. Primarily, social media provides employment opportunities to students by giving information on available opportunities in different companies.
Social media technology also employs by giving ratings and reviews of an organization. The social media platforms such as Facebook have features that allow people to rate companies depending on their interactions. Therefore, the students can access the reviews and ratings of a company from social media platforms. The ratings help the students to gauge their abilities to work in such organizations. Ideally, reviews and ratings of a company on social media platform provide information regarding the employment qualifications to the students.
Collaborative Learning
Collaborative learning is among the innovation that has promoted effectiveness in the education center. In the digital age, educators have integrated e-learning into the physical classroom, which promotes inclusivity and effectiveness in knowledge acquisition (Ansari & Khan, 2020). Social media promotes e-learning by providing information on the most accessible online platforms. As a result, social media supplements physical learning, thus diversifying the education sector.
Marketing Platforms
Social media platforms allow learning institutions and students to promote their academic activities. In the digital age, multiple learning institutions have social media pages on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, promoting student vacancies in their courses. As a result, they attract learners from different parts of the world, thus increasing their population. Notably, students use social media to promote institutional-based festivals and activities. Various institutions of higher learning festivals, such as cultural, sports, and musical events in which they, invite students from other colleges. Students use social media diversity to invite more students to the events. Social media technology also enables students to hold virtual events to include their peers from different parts of the world (Ansari & Khan, 2020). Social media allows students and institutions to enhance inclusivity by engaging peers from various parts of the world in their learning and entertainment activities.
Negative Uses of Social Media in Education
Despite the positive impacts, social media technology has various negative impacts on education. The negative uses of social media result in poor performance among students. Additionally, social media affects the teacher-student relationship in society. Excessive usage of social media in learning may result in a diversion from academic use to other non-academic uses.
Distraction from Learning
Unsupervised use of social media in education distracts students from learning and class work. The students tend to access non-academic social media platforms, distracting them from learning activities (Raut & Patil, 2016). Additionally, social media is classified as an obstacle to the mind. Therefore, unsupervised use of social media may cause the students to lose concentration on the coursework. The students also waste a lot of time on social media, which affects their concentration. As a result, the students must wait to submit assignments and classwork. As the students gather educational content from social media platforms, they may divert their attention from the beneficial platforms and engage in other content. As a result, the students lose focus on the intended use of social media in the educational sector.
Reduced Learning and Research Ability
Excessive use of social media in education reduces students’ learning and research abilities. Students use social media to acquire knowledge. As a result, they limit the time they would use in learning from books and journals. The availability of research information on social media limits the time students’ use in the library and research data collection. As a result, the student’s research skills need to be improved.
Impact on Physical and Mental Health
Extensive use of social media without supervision results in mental and physical stress among students. The use of social media in education has increased the time students spend online learning (Raut & Patil, 2016). As a result, the students spend a lot of time on the computer, which causes them to develop physical stresses such as eye strain and back issues. Additionally, social media affects the student’s eating habits. Extensive social media usage consumes much time, hindering students from eating on time (Raut & Patil, 2016). Notably, using social media in education results in mental stress among students. Social media usage activates the feel-good chemical in the brain. Therefore, unsupervised and extensive use results in anxiety and depression among students. Ideally, social media technology causes physical and mental stress by straining the student’s brain’s wellness.
Expose Students to Bullying
Academic use of social media is an element that contributes significantly to cyberbullying among students. As students give their ideas and thoughts regarding a topic, they may be humiliated by their online peers (Raut & Patil, 2016). Additionally, the students may post their photos or videos to showcase their talents and participation in class work. Such instances expose the students to bullying from their viewers and other social media users. As a result, the students develop low self-esteem that eventually limits their performance in school. Notably, cyber bullying contributes to mental stress among students, increasing absenteeism rates from school (Raut & Patil, 2016). Unsupervised use of social media primarily plays a crucial role in cyberbullying, which affects the students’ performance and mental wellness.
Limits Face-to-Face Learning
Extensive use of social media in education has replaced face-to-face learning in schools. Teachers use social media platforms such as YouTube and WhatsApp to convey information and disseminate knowledge to the students (Raut & Patil, 2016). As a result, there are only so many in-person classes. Social media platforms have eliminated the need for physical classrooms and tutors. The students can access educational information from the comfort of their homes and offices. Lack of physical learning limits the student-teacher relationship, thus diminishing the effectiveness of education acquisition strategies (Raut & Patil, 2016). Ideally, social media limit face-to-face learning by providing educational information in the comfort of the student’s homes and offices.
Literature Review
The academic use of social media in the education sector is an issue that has resulted in debate among researchers. Research has been done to provide data and proof of the effects of social media in the education sector. The research is published in different journals and is available in different physical and electronic libraries. The literature review describes the data provided by researchers regarding the positive and negative uses of social media in education.
Positive Uses of Social Media in Education
The study describes the impact of social media during the COVID-19 epidemic in the education sector. In the study, the researchers used an online questionnaire to collect data from a random sample of students in India (Sobaih et al., 2022). The questionnaire sought to determine the students’ perception of social media and its impacts on their performance during the COVID-19 epidemic. The study indicates that students acknowledge social media platforms as elements that promote social learning and networking (Sobaih et al., 2022). Ideally, the article supports the hypothesis that social media is vital in promoting social learning and networking among students and their peers.
Research has shown that social media is crucial in enhancing creative expression among students. In the article, the researchers investigate the relationship between social media and creative expression in education. The researchers collect data through the statistical software SAS94 to determine the usability dimension of learners in social media and creativity (Chai & Fan, 2018). The researcher discovered From the analysis that integrating social media into education has improved creative expression among students. The study also acknowledges that overuse of social media may hinder students from getting inspiration from the real world (Chai & Fan, 2018). Therefore, the researchers suggest supervised use of social media among students to promote high personal creativity. The study contributes significantly to knowledge of academic uses of social media by providing reliable information on its impacts on creative expression.
Social media use in education has been acknowledged as a factor promoting global exposure among students. The article provides reliable data regarding social media features that expose students to the global experience (Chen & Xiao, 2022). The researchers reviewed the findings of multiple published research work describing social media’s impacts on exposing students to notable social development. In the study, the researchers discovered that social media allow students to share their ideas, thoughts, and emotions with their peers from abroad (Chen & Xiao, 2022). Notably, the study indicates that social media technology enhances the diversity of the student’s thoughts. The article provides accurate and reliable information regarding social media’s influence on global exposure among students(Chen & Xiao, 2022). The study also contributes to research by providing information about social media’s impacts on students’ global exposure.
Further research has been conducted to determine the role of social media in providing employment opportunities to college students. In a study conducted by Blount et al. (2016), the results support the hypothesis that social media is vital in promoting job opportunities in organizations. In the study, the researchers reviewed the published research to describe how social media provides employment opportunities to higher education students. Notably, the study’s findings indicate that social media is used in hiring. For instance, the employees advertise vacancies in their institutions through social media platforms. The researchers suggest that business educators should inform students about using social media in hiring. The study plays a crucial role in research by providing information on the use of social media in the employment world and its benefit to the students.
Research has also been done to determine the positive impact of social media on the student’s performance. Ashraf et al. (2021) state that social media has improved student academic performance. The researchers collected data from international medical students in China through a survey method during the study. The researchers created 233 questionnaires to gather primary data from the students (Ashraf et al., 2021). The researchers integrated the social constructivism theory and technology acceptance model to create a conceptual framework. Notably, the study’s findings indicate that social media is a dynamic tool that encourages collaboration, exchange of ideas, and group discussions. As a result, the student’s learning behavior is reinforced, thus resulting in improved performance. The students also reported that social media eases interaction with peers, thus positively influencing open learning (Ashraf et al., 2021). The study contributes significantly to knowledge by providing reliable information about the academic use of social media to improve students’ performance.
Negative Uses of Social Media in Education
Social media has only sometimes been used positively in the education system. Some researchers have provided information supporting the claims that social media causes adverse student effects. In a study by Kolhar et al. (2021), social media use in learning negatively impacts the student’s social interaction and sleep duration. The authors conducted cross-sectional research in the study to acquire primary data to support the hypothesis. The researchers used a questionnaire to collect data from 300 female students aged 17-29 (Kolhar et al., 2021). The study’s findings indicate that only 1% of students use social media for learning. Therefore, only a few individuals use technology for social learning. During the study, the researchers discovered that 68% of the students experience delayed bedtime, which is caused by social media usage during bedtime (Kolhar et al., 2021). As a result, most students suffer from sleep deprivation, reducing their concentration span in-class work. Reduced concentration span among students’ result in poor performance in education. The study contributes significantly to knowledge of academic uses of social media by providing data regarding the negative effects of integrating the technology in learning institutions.
Notably, research has proved that social media use in education cause distraction to students. In a study conducted by Ugur & Turan (2019), the results indicated that social media distracts the students from classwork which affects their performance in the long run. In the study, the researchers examined the perception of social media platforms such as Facebook, blogs and Twitter as tools of learning (Ugur & Turan, 2019). The research was done on students in an a higher education institution using online questionnaire. The students reported that use of social media for learning distracts their concentration on the crucial learning aspects. The students tend to use the platforms for entertainment thus shifting their focus from classwork. The study provides crucial information regarding the negative academic use of social media and its impacts on the students’ concentration on the classwork.
Research has also proven that social media has negative impacts on the mental health of students. According to Priya (2020), social media results to anxiety, depression and behavioral disorders among students. The researcher conducted a descriptive study in two top universities in Chennai. The study was done on a sample of 90 participants who provided the primary data through a questionnaire (Priya, 2020). The respondents reported that extensive usage of social media results to anxiety and depression among the students. Notably, the study acknowledges that unsupervised social media usage has negative effects on the social relationship among students. As a result, the students develop withdrawal syndrome which eventually causes mental disorders. The study contributes significantly to knowledge by providing information regarding the adverse effects of integrating social media in learning.
Further research on the impacts of social media on students’ mental health indicates that the technology is responsible for the aggravating mental health issues among the youths in the digital age. In a study conducted by Karim et al (2020), social media usage by students results to mental issues such as depression and anxiety. The researchers conducted a review of available research in electronic databases. Sixteen papers were studied to provide the findings were established. Ideally, the article supports the claims that social media is responsible for increased mental health among the students in the contemporary world.
Notably, research has discovered that the use of social media in education results to cyber bullying among students. According to Abaido (2019), there has been an increase in cyber bullying reports among students. The data was collected from 200 university students using a questionnaire. Data collected indicated that Instagram and Facebook are leading social media platforms in cyber bullying among the university students. The study also indicated that bullying results from extensive use of social media for learning and entertainment purposes. Notably, social media learning is unsupervised by higher authorities such as the educators. Therefore, the students have the freedom to participate in bullying activities without fear. The study contributes significantly to research by providing reliable data regarding the impact of cyber bullying among college students.
Solutions to the Disagreement among Education Stakeholders on the Use of Social Media in Education
The education stakeholders, such as teachers, students, parents, and institution heads, have different views regarding using social media in learning. Some believe that social media is a revolutionary tool in the education sector, thus advocating its integration into the learning systems. On the other hand, some stakeholders believe that learning should stick to traditional models to avoid the negative impacts of social media on students. In a bid to solve the disagreement, the stakeholders should embrace safety in using social media in learning.
Controlled and supervised use of social media in learning reduces the negative impacts of technology on students. This strategy requires the collaboration of the education stakeholders to ensure that students use social media for learning purposes. For instance, university students can be taught the responsible uses of social media. As a result, the students will use the technology responsibly. Additionally, the institutional heads can develop restrictions within the institutions. The guidelines should restrict students from accessing non-educational social media platforms. Therefore, the student can only access the beneficial sites for learning purposes. Notably, parents should supervise social media usage at home to reduce the chances of addiction among students.
In a bid to reduce cyberbullying among learners, the stakeholders should collaborate with digital technology experts. The experts should train the students to handle their social media platforms. For example, the organization can teach people how to use privacy settings. The settings help the students manage the accessibility to their accounts, thus reducing social media-related bullying. The experts can teach the students various strategies to protect their devices from malicious software and people. As a result, students can use social media to learn safely. Primarily, safe use of social media is possible with teamwork to control and supervise its usage during learning.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, social media is not only used for entertainment but also for academic purposes. Supervised and controlled use of social media contributes to social learning, networking, creative expression, global exposure, employment opportunities, and improved student performance. However, despite the positive uses, social media is associated with aggravating mental and physical problems in the contemporary educational setting. Students may spend a lot of time on social media platforms, thus resulting in physical strains such as poor eyesight. Students may also suffer from mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. Uncontrolled use of social media in education distracts students from classwork and exposes students to cyberbullying. The ultimate effect of extensive social media usage is poor performance among students. There are multiple available types of research about the positive and negative uses of social media in the education setting. Both sides of social media must be noticed. Therefore, the stakeholders need to develop strategies to work together to ensure positive uses of social media to promote learning in the digital age. The education stakeholders should promote supervised and controlled use of social media in learning to solve disagreements about the issue. Ideally, social media can be used effectively and productively to promote learning with supervision and control of usage among the students.
References
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