Research Article

The Use of Social Media as a Tool for Learning: Perspectives of Students in the Faculty of Education at Kuwait University

Waleed Alenezi 1 * , Thomas M. Brinthaupt 2
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1 Kuwait University, Kuwait2 Middle Tennessee State University, USA* Corresponding Author
Contemporary Educational Technology, 14(1), January 2022, ep340, https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/11476
Published: 03 January 2022
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ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to explore the use of social media by students in the Faculty of Education, University of Kuwait. The study was conducted within the context of the socio-cultural characteristics of Kuwait, and was underpinned by Alsaied’s (2017) Social Media - Learning Performance model, designed for female Arab students. A volunteer sample of 35 Kuwaiti undergraduate students (88.6% female) was interviewed. Students reported frequently using social media informally for socialization and entertainment, but less frequently as a formal educational tool. Most of the students perceived that social media facilitated interaction with peers, interaction with faculty, engagement, and collaborative learning. However, technical difficulties, and certain negative attitudes towards women using social media, were identified. We recommend that Kuwait University needs to harness the full benefits of social media for teaching and learning and to formulate official guidelines to control the use of social media by all faculty members and students.
Keywords: social media, Kuwait, learning performance, interaction with peers, interaction with faculty, student engagement, collaborative learning

CITATION (APA)

Alenezi, W., & Brinthaupt, T. M. (2022). The Use of Social Media as a Tool for Learning: Perspectives of Students in the Faculty of Education at Kuwait University. Contemporary Educational Technology, 14(1), ep340. https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/11476

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