The Role of Social Networking Sites (SNS) in Improving Academic Learning Process among Undergraduates in a Public University

Corresponding with the globalization era in the 21st century, instructional technology has been used rapidly in the educational setting. It has a great impact on the education system and how instruction is delivered. The availability of technological devices coupled with high speed Internet connection is rapidly replacing traditional face-to-face instruction with virtual communication for instruction. One such platform for communication is through social networking sites (SNS). Reflecting on the need to understand how social networking sites impact learners, this paper investigated undergraduate students’ perceptions of the role of social networking sites in their learning as well provided an overview of the effects and roles of social networking sites on their academic learning process. 100 undergraduates in their third and fourth semester in the Faculty of Education in a public university were chosen as respondents. Quantitative approach was employed, i.e. questionnaires were utilized as the instrument. The findings revealed that students had positive views and opinions towards social networks in their academic learning. Students also agreed that social networks had positively affected their academic learning process whereby they were more motivated to learn and collaborate with their friends through such virtual platforms.