Impact of social media in students' learning

Social media is the collection of online communication channels dedicated to community-based input, interaction, content sharing and collaboration. The use of social media is at the heart of any discussion, especially to the Bhutanese learners. That is, the use of social media in learning has a certain power to create knowledge and learning. However, Karpinski (2009) stated that social media has a negative association with student’s academic performance which is much greater than the advantages derieved through the use of social media platforms. It is therefore, a wastage of time, a source of abusive behaviour, plagiarism which ultimately deteroites the academic performance of the learners.

Excessive utilisation on internet watse precious time which otherwise could be used worthily.  It was observed by Paul (2012) that majority of the learners spend the time for chating and making friends. In addition to it, if social media is not handled and utilised positively, then the unsocial thing about social media in regard to learning is certainly going to be reality in face. The users of social media choose to post the selfies and status on a particular day, they will have read nothing wortwhile by the end of that day although they will have spent substantial time checking out the pictures. Nevertheless, that social media has the power to elevate the learning of the students if used wisely. They would easily connect to the rest of the world for information and new learning updates.

Anonymity in social media is prone to abusive behaviours. In the course of using social media, users land up being friend and interacting with unknown users. Such acts could humuliate and cause personalised attacks which has an adverse impact on the youth in learning process. Some forum pages in social media are filled with anonymitic users whereby personal attacks and defamations are prevalent and showcased through comments and stickers. For instance, the social media page (facebook) like ‘Bhutanese News and Forum’ is high-flying scenario of such acts. These types of remarks not only create mishaps to the society but are aslo the killers of young and happy hearts. At large, in the globe cyber-bullying occur due to anonymous content and author. However, it could be an inviting source of getting connected and to have valuable communication. That is, browsing the authored resources and meeting the reality in face to face for assertive conversation and discussions.

In the comtemporary society of technology, the learners become addicted to the social media platforms and landing up liable for plagiarism and copyright acts. Many researchers have figured out that the greatest consequence of plagiarism within social media can be seen in academia. It was also mentioned by Karpinski, & Duberstein (2009) that students plagiarise the tasks assigned. Similarly, many of the students in Bhutan are now influenced by the available social media. They easily browse the information from the internet and use in their assignments and project works. They try to make a second rate copy an original source without understanding and crediting the source or author, where they are finally in conflict with plagiarism laws.

Social media which are being used today with great desire and enthusiam have altered the ways of students to communicate, participate in collaborate discussions. The negative impact of social media could be driven out and assist learners for better learning, provided they use it vigilantly and wisely. It would howerver deteriote the learning process if they believe in anonymity, abusive nature and ready made materials from social media platforms for the academic advancement.

















Reference

Karpinski, & Duberstein, (2009). A description of     Facebook use and Perfomance among       Undergraduate
and Graduate Students. California: Educational Research Association.
Nicole, E. (2007). The benefits of Face Book " Friends;" Social Capital and College Students. Journal of
Computer-Mediated Communication , 23.
Paul, J. (2012). Effect of Online Social Networking on student's Performance. Computer in Human Behaviors , 28 (b).

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www.facebook.bhutannewsforum.com on 22/03/2018