Exploring social media use of Filipino learners

Abstract

Profusely widespread use of social media opened multiple reading opportunities for learners. However, educators have growing concern that excessive use of social media compromises learners’ reading competence and, eventually, academic performance. The current work aimed to examine the extent to which social media use may affect the university students’ (N=101) reading attitudes and competence, which are the backbone of scholastic performance. A mixed-methods approach was applied in the study. The data collected were analyzed using version 26 of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Interview answers were qualitatively analyzed. Results indicate that social media platforms (SMPs) were least used for educational purposes. Students showed positive reading attitudes emphasizing their accorded importance to reading and finding happiness to learn new things. However, as they managed to read posts daily, lesser inclination was accorded to productive reading attitudes such as finding time to read during vacant hours and having enthusiasm towards advanced reading and reading with friends. Overall, reading competence indicated ineptitude. This study provides insights into the context of social media use in shaping learners’ reading attitudes and affecting their level of reading competence.