THE IMPORTANCE OF THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF POLYTECHNIC STUDENTS IN LAGOS STATE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1  BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Social networking has existed since people first began to talk. The term "social" applies to human culture as well as human interaction. The term "media" refers to the usage of another means to communicate with oneself. The majority of social networking platforms are not digital. Since it produces a vast range of advances, social media is one of the most important technological inventions that is still commonly used. According to Boyd (2007), social media are "technologies that make social communication simple and allow conversation among its participants.”

 In the modern world, social networking may often refer to a web-based smart phone application that helps individuals or businesses to create, communicate with, and exchange new user-generated or current content. Students make up a significant percentage of usage, making them both buyers and creators of media content. The usage of social media by students has grown to be extensive and widespread. Users' profiles on many of these social networking sites enable users to share information with one another, as well as create and sustain relationships and become famous. It's also used to communicate with other students and staff members both within and outside of the classroom. University and college administrators will benefit from using social networking to communicate with students. It can be used to discuss study materials, communicate with classmates, and organise study groups. It first raises the intensity of thought and creates contact chains; second, it can be used to discuss study materials, connect with classmates, and coordinate study groups. The use of mobile phones has expanded social network use. As a result, consumers will reach several social networking sites in only a few mouse clicks. Some research shows that social networking has a detrimental impact on student success, whilst others show that it increases learning and communication skills. (Lenhart, Purcell, Smith & Zickuhr, 2010)

In recent years, society has changed and is celebrating new communication technologies. This effectively transforms the whole planet into a 'global community.' Nonetheless, science is like a coin of two faces. It has both harmful and optimistic consequences. Technology assists individuals in being more educated and enlightened, as well as holding them up to date with all global innovations. The topic of social networking technologies opens a large number of individuals to much simpler forms of performing a whole range of tasks. The climate is constantly evolving day by day as a consequence of technological advancements, and this has contributed to the usage of technology as the most significant tool for exploring a broad range of topics. (Sharive, 2018) goes on to say that academic success is the product or consequence of schooling. It refers to how far a pupil, instructor, or organization has progressed toward their educational objectives. Continuous testing, in the form of tests or assignments, and ultimately an evaluation, is widely used to evaluate academic success. However, there is no consensus about how it can be evaluated or which elements are most relevant.

 According to Sharive (2018), there is a strong connection between social networking use and student academic results. However, the undesirable aspects of technical progress have culminated in a series of dilemmas and failures in terms of true life ideals. Many students are already hooked to multimedia behaviors such as Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking sites, as well as sports. As a result, a variety of variables influence a student's academic success, but the impact of social networking on a student's achievement is more significant than any other aspect. People spend more time engaging with their peers to access and exchange knowledge on social networking sites, according to Das and Sahoo (2010).

As a result, they get addicted to checking and verifying their status every few minutes during the day. Nigeria's educational environment is beset by a slew of issues, many of which have contributed to a drop in educational standards. Students and even instructors are prone to divergence, distraction, and distracted focus as it comes to social networking events and scholarly work. Students have been found to pay greater attention to social media than to their research. It is undeniable that students' addiction to social media, as well as their frequent exposure to social networking platforms, has uncovered and influenced their engagement and academic pursuits, as well as had a significant effect on their academic success. It has been found that instead of reading their books, students spend more of their time talking and making friends on social media, which may have influenced their academic success. Many people who believe in the learning of experience and skills are concerned about this phenomenon. (Sharive, 2018)

1.2  STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

Social media has for a long time been used for various purposes such as entertainment, information and so on. However, the imbued prowess of social media hasn’t yet been attained, thus, this study. The use of social media in educating polytechnic students in Lagos state, will go a long way in improving academic development and performance, as these social media tools are what these student focus most of their time on in contemporary era.

1.3  OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1.      To determine the influence social media has on the academic performance of students in Lagos polytechnics.

2.      To determine if the use of social media has an effect on students in Lagos state polytechnics.

3.      To ascertain whether the effect is a positive or negative one.

1.4  RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1.      What influence does social media have on the academic performance of students in Lagos polytechnics?

2.      What is the effect of using social media in the education of students of Lagos state polytechnics?

3.      Is the effect positive or negative?

1.5  SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will be helpful in realizing the imbued prowess of social media in the educational development of students in general. This study will be helpful to polytechnics in Lagos state on how using social media can benefit the students and boost academic performance.

1.6  SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study only covers the use of social media in the educational development of students of polytechnics in Lagos state. The effects on their academic performance, whether negative or positive.

1.7  LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

This study was limited by insufficient time and funds.

1.8  OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

1.      SOCIAL MEDIA: Tools that are used in passing across information or as a means of communication.

2.      EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Entails supporting and enhancing the design and development of high quality student learning experiences.

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