The Usage of Social Networking Sites for Education in the Higher Education Context

Abstract

This research aimed to study the usage of social networking sites (SNSs) for education in the higher education context. The survey research consisted of 412 university students who used social networking sites. The main purposes of students for the usage of SNSs in education were to communicate with their classmates and lecturers rather than collaborate on their academic work or use them as a space for information resource sharing. The students revealed that the main advantages they received from using SNSs were easy and convenient ways to search for information, effective ways to contact or communicate with classmates and lecturers, and closer relationship among friends. Regarding the psychological factors that influenced the usage of SNSs in the educational context were subjective norms, compatibility between technology and users, and attitude toward technology. In addition, SNSs usage also correlated with its positive outcome in the context of education. The problems and obstacles the students faced from using SNSs in the educational context were management of time spending online and misinterpretation of non-face-to-face communication.