Students’ Perception towards the Use of Social Networking as an e-learning Platform

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate students’ perceptions on the current e�learning system and adopting social networking as a main platform of the university e�learning. This study also explored the required skill for effective use of social networking tools. The population of this study were 600 final year students at one of the Faculties in a Malaysian’s university. Questionnaire was used as a research instrument to collect data from 234 respondents which had been selected randomly. Data had been analyzed using quantitative data analysis method, which were mean, percentage, and Independent�sample T test. The findings of this study indicated that students satisfaction of current e�learning system was in a moderately positive level (mean = 3.77). Students agreed on adopting social networking as an e�learning platform (mean = 4.11) and they also agreed with all of the required skills for effectively use of social networking tools (mean = 4.17). From this study also, type of students’ study programme has no effect on students’ perception neither towards current e� learning system nor in the required skills of using social networking effectively. However; there was a significant difference between male and female students in the required skills of using social networking tools at α = 0.05 ( p = 0.014). Female students appeared to be more skilful and ready for using social networking tools (mean = 4.23) than male students (mean = 4.07). From this research finding, it can be concluded that students preferred social networking as an e�learning platform, where it can provide them more interactive features than the current e�learning system.