Muscat: A research project aimed at exploring the role of social media in enhancing children's understanding of their lessons and its potential impact on the education sector is underway by a team of researchers from the College of Education at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS), Rustaq.
This study is driven by the recognition that social networking has become a fundamental tool for knowledge dissemination and communication in contemporary societies, permeating various aspects of daily life. The educational applications of social media have prompted a reevaluation of its organisation and presentation for students.
The research team consisting of Ali al Rasbi, Omar al Zadjal and Ahmed al Muqbali is working under the supervision of Dr Mimi el Sayed Ahmed Ismail, Professor of Educational Psychology. It explores the effectiveness of social media networks for distance education among students of UTAS, Rustaq.
The goal is to apply the research findings to other educational systems with appropriate modifications to suit their contexts.
Speaking to the Observer, Dr Mimi el Sayed said, "The study's aim to uncover any gender, specialisation, or stage of study-related differences among a randomly selected sample of 40 male and female students from UTAS Rustaq." She highlighted the potential of social media networks to provide new opportunities for remote learning, acknowledging the efforts of young students in promoting research and innovation in Oman.
The study is funded by the Block Funding Programme of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation (MoHERI) and is part of a series of innovative research projects across various fields. Dr El Sayed expressed the hope that this study would change society's negative perception of social media platforms and make them aware of students' readiness to acquire knowledge through these channels.
Advantages of using social media for education include the ability to tailor multimedia content to individual skills and preferences, enhancing the learning process's effectiveness. Educational institutions can also leverage social media platforms to offer enrichment activities and distribute relevant educational materials, achieving targeted learning outcomes.
"We are quite optimistic that the research study also contributes to developing plans for distance education and confronting the challenges that some institutions suffer from due to their limited experience in this field," she added.
The study results showed that measuring the effectiveness of social media networks for distance learning among students at UTAS Rustaq was moderate. The study also showed that most students prefer distance learning through social media to direct learning.
Consequently, the study's findings recommend that teachers utilise social media platforms for various educational purposes and conduct awareness programmes to underscore the importance and benefits of these platforms in teaching and learning. Additionally, the study suggests improving the social media network infrastructure in educational institutions across Oman to maximise the benefits to the education sector.
Social media handles are interactive social networks that allow communication for their users at any time and place. Among the most prominent social media means, apps like WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and e-learning systems, such as Blackboard and Moodle, are recommended to be used as per the study.
By KABEER YOUSUF and NASRULAH AL AJMI
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