Harnessing Social Media as a Double-Edged Sword

Harnessing Social Media as a Double-Edged Sword: 

The Benefits and Distractions for Student Learning

keywords:

- social media 

- student learning

- undergraduate education

- educational technology

- online collaboration

- student engagement

- digital distractions

- critical thinking

Q1.  What role does the abstract play in the publication of an academic paper?       

A short overview of the article is the abstract. It is not an introduction to what follows. The main elements of the study methodology and the major results of the research are also described in full and succinct. The abstract is typically the initial interaction with a research or report by the reader and is at times the sole portion that is collected and/or examined in scientific databases. This feature offers the first and frequently most crucial impression that the study topic and outcomes have their own potential worth or significance. If the abstract is correctly written, readers should be asked to receive a copy of the entire manuscript that is included in the discovered ones. If the abstract is properly written, readers will be encouraged to receive a copy of the entire text included into those found. If the abstract is not worded properly, the study might be disregarded or even forgotten.

Q2.   What is the main focus of the study? 

The incorporation of Internet technology into education has offered various possibilities for study accessible to everyone worldwide. In addition to textbooks and classroom lectures via social media, students currently experience the sharing of ideas, resources and information as well as a tools for Undergraduate student learning. Online information and communication are provided free of charge to students on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and many more platforms. The study discuss how social media use can improve learning.

                                                                                                                             

Q3.  What are digital natives? Discuss whether there are digital natives in your home country. 

 

Every person who was born in 1980, the digital natives, who have a direct touch with technology in their biological and social development. There are some behavioural changes and everyday habit that affect their schooling, job plans, and living objectives in an ever larger context for this generation, which was born around technology. No wonder as a part of globalisation my home country has digital native. Their habits, behaviours and preferences in consumption have guided the strategies of numerous brands that want to distinguish themselves on the market, companies that strive to improve communication and institutions of education which attempt to adapt their educational techniques to digital lifestyles.

Q4.  What does the term ‘social media’ mean?  Do you think the use of social media will change in the future?    

Social networks facilitate social relationships and interact between individuals, groups or organisations, which share the same values or interests. The internet and social media development have broadened this notion.  After all, a social network's fundamental role is to connect individuals inside the virtual world, either to develop new social links or to maintain current social ties. There is no denying the achievements of the social networks we know, like Facebook and WhatsApp. Without their presence, we can scarcely conceive of our social contacts and this illustrates the power of these platforms, which take the world as we know it.

Social networks represent all the improvements in technology that society has accomplished and must consequently include social actions. Artificial intelligence research are already underway to assist blind people understand photos. Another initiative seeks to facilitate diagnosis, through the examination of photographs of the patient, of illnesses such as skin cancer.

                                                                                   

Q5.  Discuss the positive and negative effects of using social media in class. 

     Many kids cannot deal with the wide-ranging web-based knowledge. Many consider what they read on the web as the absolute truth, and this affects the learning process and the formation of a critical view of what is given. The social networks' popularity and the pace of online interactions have brought about new methods of writing and speaking, transformed and revealed Portuguese. This might impair the writing quality of these young people since the internet language in our culture has not yet become normal and is still restricted to the online media. Socialization is an evolving activity - we are seeking interaction with certain individuals on social networks rather than immediately addressing those who are accessible around us at any given time. Special attention should be paid to this behaviour, which undergoes a lot more difficult and rapid changes than ever before. Technology is a tool that needs to make the interaction easier, more efficient—in short, media. It is important to be conscious that it is not the mechanism that guides our decisions. Generally speaking, this happens when we utilize a technology without knowing the influence it has on our own conduct completely.

                                                                                                                               



Q6.  Explain how the researchers collected their data. Was this an effective means of doing it?         

Survey is a very frequent technique of study by which researchers themselves enter the field to gather data. Research in the field can be utilized as a dissertation technique of research and gathering of data. Different methods, such as surveys, interviews and observations, may be utilized. In order to gather the exact data needed to answer research questions and to test hypotheses, the researcher will.

Q7.  What were the five research questions?  Give an explanation of each one. 

1. What social media accounts do undergraduate fine arts students have? 

2. How often are these students accessing social media accounts? 

3. To what degree do these students use social media for educational purposes? 

4. To what degree does social media use contribute to these students’ education? 

5. To what degree does social media use distract these students from their college education?

Q8.  In the following reference what is ‘In Education’ and what is ‘15(1)’?     

Hoffman, E. S. (2009). Social media and learning environments: Shifting perspectives on the locus of control. In Education, 15(1), 23-38. 

‘In Education’ is the name publisher and what is ‘15(1)’ is volume number      

Q9.  What are your opinions on the use of social media in class?  Has the use of social media helped you in your studies? 

Social media has mixed impact on my study sometimes it accelerate the information gathering process other times it creates a lot of distraction. Its require a huge self control to stick to the study while using social media.  

Q10.  Overall, what conclusion did the researchers reach?  Discuss whether it is justified quoting examples from your own experience. 

         

 The Results showed that Facebook was the most popular account, followed by Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter, that is similar to my using pattern. Logging on to their top social media accounts was a combined total of 32.82, while the weekly average was a combined total of 226.39. That is also similar to my usages.  Of the students surveyed, 49% marked agree or strongly agree that they used social media for educational purposes, I would agree if I was asked the same. A total of 39% of surveyed students responded that they had a class that required use of social media. Which I agree. and the final research question which is the  comparable levels of distraction from social media use (78.65%) compared to face to face interactions (74.27%) is also similar to me                                                                                                                          

Q1. The abstract provides a short overview of the key elements of a research paper. It summarizes the main points of the study including the methodology and major findings, without going into too much detail. The abstract gives readers a first impression of the research and helps them decide if they want to read the full paper.

Q2. The main focus of the study is on the use of social media as a tool for undergraduate student learning. It examines how students are using social media for educational purposes and how it contributes to or distracts from their learning. 

Q3. Digital natives are those born after 1980 who have grown up with technology. They have different behaviors, habits, and preferences shaped by digital technology. Yes, there are digital natives in my home country as a result of globalization and widespread access to technology. 

Q4. Social media refers to online platforms that allow users to create and share content, interact, and develop social networks. I think social media will continue evolving in the future with advances in technology like AI to enhance accessibility and capabilities. But the core function of connecting users will remain.

Q5. Positives of social media in class include easier access to information and collaboration. Negatives are potential distractions, improper online behavior, and overreliance on unverified online sources instead of critical thinking. 

Q6. The researchers collected data through an online survey completed by undergraduate students. This seems an effective means of gathering information directly from the target demographic. 

Q7. The five research questions focused on: 1) Types of social media accounts students have 2) Frequency of social media use 3) Use of social media for education 4) Contribution of social media to education 5) Distraction of social media from education

Q8. 'In Education' refers to the journal name. '15(1)' indicates it is Volume 15, Issue 1 of that journal.

Q9. I think social media can help access information quickly, but it requires self-control to avoid distractions. It has helped my studies but also sometimes distracts me. 

Q10. The study found high social media use among students comparable to my experience. Around half used it for education and found it contributed to their learning, which aligns with my opinion. However, levels of distraction were also high, consistent with my observations. The conclusions seem justified based on my own experiences as a student.