SOCIAL MEDIA’S IMPLICATIONS FOR STUDENTS’ LEARNING PERFORMANCE

MARINA L. SAYGAN, LPT, MPE, PH.D

People are beginning to explore the true potential of technology for teaching and learning in the age of information and technology. The widespread use of social media has altered the way learners interact, connect, and socialize. The existence of social media has aided billions of people, but because of its popularity in schools, the link between academic learning and information technology may be jeopardized. The rise of social media has had a significant impact on how students learn and teachers teach. When used properly, social media and education can complement each other. The influence of social media on the teaching and learning environment is growing every day, and its applications can reinforce class materials, positive and effective discussions, and collaborative work among the learners.

Efficient educators always look for different ways to catch the attention of the students in the classroom. Science lessons often lose students’ interest due to complexities particularly when it comes in studying Physics. Physics requires observation and explanation of a phenomena which students may find uninteresting. In relation with this, teaching should be effective and innovative.

Social media tools created a platform for the improvement of the educational process and to enrich the learning process with text, videos, and audio materials. Students visit various online platforms to gather information for educational purposes. Students primarily use these social media platforms: Messenger (for communicating), Facebook (for updates), Instagram (for photo sharing), YouTube (for video tutorials), TikTok (for fun yet educational videos), and many more. The social media platforms help improve the learners’ academic performance and increase their knowledge through searching for and gathering data and information.

Furthermore, the Department of Education (DepEd) expressed concern that the use of social media can affect the study habits of learners and that they can be distracted by the many available materials posted on social media. Likewise, it was noted that social media may also open doors for cyberbullying, identity theft, online gambling, pornography, and market fraud that can cause self-isolation, humiliation, and trauma.

Active engagement and digital collaboration on a new level can improve students' learning. Utilizing social media in the classroom is a great way to create an effective and engaging learning environment. Skillful integration of social media has the potential to improve classroom communication while also preparing students for a world where online learning and remote jobs are becoming more common. Furthermore, the use of social media can remove the physical boundaries of the classroom, providing learners with access to more widespread and diverse sources of knowledge.

Due to technological innovations in ICT gadgets that enable everyone to participate and gain access to social media platforms, the use of social media in the digital age has become rampant and active. Modern technology has become an integral part of human development, particularly in the field of education. Technology is intrinsically motivating to students and highly customizable; it is especially well suited to supporting students' overall development in academics and many other aspects of their lives. The importance of integrating technology in education is that learning can be effective and interactive, focusing on the learners' proficiency with specific competencies while utilizing technology.

According to a recent study in Pakistan (2021), using social media as an educational tool may result in the following benefits: 1) a more personalized learning environment; 2) academic conversations that continue outside of the classroom; 3) increased student confidence in mastery of new knowledge; 4) learning as a public, shared experience; and 5) a more active learning environment.

used to explore the implications of social media trends for the learning process of learners, particularly students. The administrators and faculty members should commit themselves to being agents of transformation and have the mission of training every student to be productive and responsive to changes, especially in the modern era. Hence, this can lead to the discovery of the real potential of social media and give them tools that they can use to create truly adapted, flexible, and effective learning experiences for the students.