Written by: Kaltham Al Darmaki

ID number: 111359

Number of words: 291

Tuesday, 9 October, 2018

Social networking sites have not only been created for communication, but have become a supportive means of learning because of the advantages that traditional education competes with. The academics use them to illustrate the image in a simplified way to their students through pictures, sounds and instructional videos.

Social media is also a primary source for learners. Students can search for information in a short time and on more than one side, as well as raise awareness about the material that student search for because these sites present thousands of searching results.

According to YouTube statistics, more than 1.9 billion users who sign in YouTube platform every month, over a billion hours of video watch every day and record billions of views which mean that millions of users are using YouTube for educational purposes because of increasing numbers of channels day after day.  

Nicole’s study in 2013 showed that universities’ students are the most using social media, where 96% of social media users are between (18-35) years old.

The American experience in using social media as education tool is applied in many schools, public and private institutions, it is widely practiced by teachers and students. A recent study by the University of Minnesota researchers found that 77% of all students enter the networks to learn, develop skills and openness to new perspectives.

According to data collected over the past six months for students aged 16-18, "students who use social networking sites have developed their skills and creativity well" says Christine Greenho.

I agree that social media support education in a positive way, but no one can deny that the students affected negatively when they are exposed a lot of information in a short time and with different aspects in one topic.