Analysis of Social Media as Distance Learning Facilities: A Case of the Open University of Tanzania.

Kyelula, Ruth J. (2022) Analysis of Social Media as Distance Learning Facilities: A Case of the Open University of Tanzania. Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

A study was conducted to make analysis of social media as distance learning facilities at the Open University of Tanzania. Specifically, the study focused on determining the types of social media used, examined students’ challenges of using social media; and found out the impact of social media on learning facilities. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics; and graphs, tables, pie charts and percentages were analyzed by SPSS Statistical analysis. A structured questionnaire was the main tool for data collection from a sample of 120 respondents who were randomly selected from different university regional centers while interview was set out to five key informants drawn from OUT headquarters. The findings indicated that 70 percent of the respondents (n=120) use MOODLE as distance learning facility. Meanwhile, 60 percent of the respondents (n=120) spent 3-5 daily on social media while 5 percent spent more than 8 hours. This study used Social Information Processing Theory and Media Equation Theory to assess the contribution of social media as distance learning facilities. The study concluded that crowd sourcing effect, online information overload, emotional barriers, required time and dedication; and difficulty management and digital identity were the major students’ challenges of using social media as learning facilities. Also, the study concluded that social media brought positive impact on learning facilities at the OUT. MOODLE has become a vigorous social media for people to interact each other in academic career. Other social media widely used is internet forum. The study recommended provision of education, introduction, and supervision and control the accessibility of new; and use of poorly accessed social media in order to reduce the challenges. Finally, it is recommended for further research to be done on social media and students’ academic satisfaction, social media and students’ academic development; and social media and online learning

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