The Degree of Using Social Media in the Educational Process from the Perspective of Teachers in Jordan

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating the degree of using social media in the educational process by the teachers of the upper-primary stage in Jordan from teacher’s perspective. The survey method used in this study is the descriptive method. The data were collected using a questionnaire and was developed to achieve the objectives of the study. The population of the study includes 37703 teachers of the upper primary stage in governmental and private schools, supervised by the Ministry of Education in Jordan for the academic year (2016/2017). The study sample consisted of 2133 teachers (766 male teachers and 1367 female teachers) who were randomly selected according to the stratified random sampling. The first question was answered by calculating the mean and the standard deviations of the sample individual’s responses based on the items of the questionnaire related to the degree of using social media in the educational process in the upper primary stage in Jordan. In answering question one, the mean and the standard deviations of the responses of the sample individuals were calculated on the questionnaire based on the degree of using social media in the educational process in the upper primary stage in Jordan in general, and also for each dimension of the study questionnaire. Results of question one showed that the degree of using social media means by the teachers of upper primary stage in Jordan was low. In answering question two, the significant statistical differences (α = 0.05) based on the degree of using social media in the educational process by the teachers of the upper primary stage in Jordan due to their gender, school type, and academic qualification were examined through calculated means, standard deviations, the independent samples t-test, and one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results of question two showed that there are statistically significant differences at α = 0.05 on the scores of the respondents in the study sample. This, however, can be seen in terms of the dimensions of the degree of using social media by teachers of upper primary stage in educational process in Jordan, for the whole tool, due to gender in favor of males. The differences were in the dimension of knowledge, skills, and value for males. In terms of the social dimension, the differences were in favor of females. There are no statistically significant differences at α = 0.05 on the degrees of the respondents to the study sample on the dimensions of the use of social media by teachers of upper primary stage in educational process in Jordan, and based on the degree of overall tool, according to school type variable (governmental, private). In the light of the study results, a number of recommendations were proposed, including enhancing the methods of the use of social media means in the educational process, and overcoming the obstacles that hinder the use of social media in the learning and teaching process.