E-Learning on Social Media: A Conceptual Paper on Undergraduates Preferred Social Media Affordances
Teh Su Yen1*, Kok Hui Meian1
1 Faculty of Arts and Social Science, UTAR, Kampar, Malaysia
*Corresponding Author: [email protected]
Accepted: 15 September 2020 | Published: 30 September 2020
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Abstract: Methods of teaching and learning in institutions of higher learning in Malaysia has changed over time. E-learning has been introduced to these institutions however adoption rate differs from one institution to other. Some are slow while some are faster than the rest. With the recent pandemic crisis that the world has experienced, E-learning has to be utilized to ensure teaching and learning can be continued without any disruptions. Even though Malaysia has a high Internet penetration rate however, difficulties still occurs for some to access the Internet and also the likeliness of users finding the tools user friendly.
Research has found for E-learning to be successful, the features available has to attractive to users. Therefore, this study tries to find out the undergraduates preferred affordances by using Sundar’s (2008) Main Model as a guideline. This research employs quantitative research methods.
Keywords: E-Learning, Social Media, Undergraduates, Affordances
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1. Introduction
The way humans communicate has changed over time; it does not stay stagnant for long as most communication these days rely on technology. Communication in today’s day and age has also become more interpersonal, enhancing the concept of being social via various e- platforms that are available. Baym (2015, p. 1) states “any medium that allows people to make meaning together is social. There is nothing more social about social media than there is about postcards, landline telephones, television shows and newspaper, books, or cuneiform.”
Web 2.0 has brought tremendous improvement on the Internet and saw the rise of social media platforms (See, Khalil, & Ameen, 2012). Social media platforms allow users to communicate with anyone no matter where there are and at any given time of the day. It also means, social media has erased the geographical boundary that has deter people of communicating easily and speedily Van den Berg, Arentze and Timmermans (2012). Walther (2007) adds that computer mediated communication able to enhance interpersonal communication. Hill (2017) mentions, Learning time via social media is able to reduce as much as 60% of learning time as compared to traditional class room learning.
In the 1980s, universities have begun using information and communications technology (ICT) in their teaching and learning (Keller & Cernerud, 2002). In Malaysia, the usage of ICT in teaching and learning will be largely enforced as the Ministry of Higher Education indicates in the higher education blueprint from 2015 to 2025 that education in Malaysia will be in line with the 4th digital revolution (“Education Framework for Institutions Created for
Fourth Industrial Revolution”, 2017).
2. Problem Statement
With the recent pandemic that has spread and affected the lifestyles of people around the world. Many norms have to been changed and one of it is learning and teaching. In Malaysia, higher education institutions are required to closed their campuses during the Movement Control Order (MCO). With such move, it has affected 1.2 million students in their learning process. traditional teaching setup can longer be used and all would have to utilize online teaching and learning methods (Rahman, 2020).
Even though online teaching is not new, several online teaching management systems had been introduced (Rahman, 2020). However, these systems may not be fully utilized by the educators. One of the major concerns during this period is the Internet penetration in the country. Malaysia has achieved over 80% of Internet penetration in the country however there are issues that still linger. For example, stability of Internet connection and those from poor economic background that could not affect to a computer or any technological devices that enable online learning (Nuurrianti, 2020). Also, more importantly, the online teaching methods and tools used have to effective to ensure students are able to follow and less anxious in this new norm of learning. Whether the online lesson is done synchronously or asynchronously, the students would need to feel at ease in using the online system so that their learning process would not be problematic (Chin, 2020).
Sundar and Marathe (2010 p. 300) mention, “digital media have made it extraordinary simple for systems to tailor content based on user behaviors and/or personal information.” Also, Sundar, Oh, Kang and Sreenivasan (2012) support by agreeing that if the platforms contain features that are able to attract users then the perception of the users towards the platforms would likely be positive. Pappas (2013) adds, a lot of institutions have utilized social media platforms as a mean to conduct online teaching and learning. In order to achieve the best outcome, the platforms must be learner-centric.
This implies, the features of the online teaching and learning platforms have to be favored by the users so that the adoption rate of such system would be faster. Therefore, it is crucial to learn what affordances are being liked by users and in this case, the undergraduates. The notion that features these platforms have to offer should focus on the learners and not on the technology used. There are cases where technology has failed in aiding teaching and learning because the features where not design to ease the said process Clark and Mayer (2011).
3. Significance of study
As the country move forward and changes are made, the education method of teaching and learn has to follow suit to ensure that it can be on par with the new norm and preparedness exist to cope with any sudden alterations. Therefore, by understanding the preferred features of learners, a better platform can be designed so that it will lead to the easing of teaching and learning process.
4. Objectives of Study Research Objective
1. To investigate learners’ preferred affordances of social media as an e-learning
platform.
Research Questions
1. What are learners preferred affordances of social media as an e-learning platform?
5. Literature Review
Internet Usage
4.57 billion people across the world use the Internet and social media users’ number likewise has also gone up by 8% that translates into 3.81 billion users (Kemp, 2020). The same report indicates that by the end of 2020, Internet penetration across the world would reach 50%.
A report by MCMC (2018), in 2018 Malaysia has 87.4% of Internet users (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Comission, 2018). In the same report it says that such influx of usage in the country is due to the development of mobile coverage which provides greater network coverage. Besides, social engagement is the top activities of Internet users.
Whereas in the 2019, Malaysians Internet usage has rose 3.1% and similar to previous year, social engagement through the usage of social media sites top the activities of Internet users (“Malaysians households’ access to Internet rose from 90.1% end- 2019”, 2020).
Ho (2019) states that from a research by YouGov, Malaysians use social media every day and on average, slightly more than 5 hours are spent on these platforms. Based on a research by We Are Social (2016), the age group of 20 to 39-year-old use the Internet the most. The data is similar to what Pew Research Centre has found whereby 18 to 34-year-old are more likely to use the Internet as compared to other age groups (“Smartphone Ownerships and Internet Usage Contributes to Climb in Emerging Economies,” 2016).
E- Learning
Gone are the days when learning institutions rely solely on traditional learning. With the advancement of technology and changes in the environment due to social events and health phenomenon, methods on how learning and teaching need to be adapted to ensure both can be delivered during any events that occur. Like during the recent trying times, computer-based learning methods need to be used to ensure the process of transferring knowledge can be continued.
Majumdar (2013) mentions by using online platforms, interaction can be enhanced through the communication of 2 parties, namely the educator and the learner. This will eventually lead to a more engaging teaching and learning session. Tung (2013) adds that functions available on social media are able to create a more conducive learning environment as those functions allow users set up communities of learners. Those that share the same learning interest and passion.
It is difficult to narrow down to one definition of E-learning. According to Cambridge Dictionary (2020), E-learning means “learning done by studying at home using computers and courses provided on the Internet”. While Kahiigi et al. (2008, p. 77) define E-learning as
“a concept derived from the use of information and communication technologies to revise and transform traditional teaching and learning models and practices.”
Lee, Yoon and Lee (2009) stress that E-learning is a form of active learning with that usage of technologies that is not bounded by time and geographical boundaries. On the other hand, Arkorful and Abaidoo (2014, p.398) define it as “the use of information and communication
technologies to enable the access to online learning/teaching resources.” Even though scholars have defined the concept of E- learning differently, but one key term remains the same, that is this form of learning utilize some sort of communication technology.
As stated in the Malaysia higher education blueprint 2015-2025 by the Ministry of Education (2015), there are 10 Shifts in Malaysia higher education system. The Shifts are designed to ensure the higher education in Malaysia is on par with the changes and the needs of the environment. Part of the blueprint indicates that:
ď‚· Launch MOOCs in subjects of distinctiveness
ď‚· Making online learning an integral component
ď‚· Establish the required cyber infrastructure
A study by Donnie, Bambang, Ahmed and Nur Syafika (2018), find that undergraduates are ready for E-learning and they are also equipped with technological skills however it is also found that students are not comfortable with self-directed learning. The researchers also indicate the needs for higher learning institutions to design and implement plans to help students to be ready for this non-traditional form of learning. Therefore, it is important to understand the students preferred affordances choice to ensure their experience in using the E-learning system is comfortable.
Framework
This research employs Sundar’s (2008) MAIN Model. The model has 4 affordances that are found in social media. The affordances are Modality, Agency, Interactivity and Navigability.
These 4 affordances will trigger cognitive heuristics and able to help in understanding users’
reasons in using the social media sites and why the heuristics are being preferred.
Source: Sundar (2008).
The first affordance which is Modality is the most visible construct found on digital media (Sundar, 2008). This affordance for example creates an atmosphere where by the users get a sense of “being there” which ultimately making the users feeling real even though they might be geographically dispersed. The second affordance which is Agency. It is one of the most common functions of what social media allow users to do. The users are the producers of information (Sundar & Limperos, 2013). This could also mean, users are the gatekeepers of information, no longer relying on the traditional media outlets to safeguard what should the people know.
Interactivity is the third affordance. Social media platforms enable users to have 2-way communication. It also means, that users are able to click on links and able to set settings such as privacy and preferences to their liking (Sundar, 2008). The last affordance is Navigability. Like the word implies, social media sites allow users to “travel” to all sorts of locations, sites or pages. Sundar (2008) states, this accordance is important to users because the users no longer need to follow the traditional methods of browsing like in print media.
Browsing on social media sites can be made based on the nonlinear method. Users can browse without following the standard direction.
6. Methodology
This research will use quantitative research method, specifically survey questionnaire.
Questionnaire uses a standardized set of questions and produce a great number of data so that a sound understanding of the situation can be made. In this research, non-probability sampling method will be used to collect data needed for the first phase of the research.
Reason being, as stated by Baxter and Babbie (2004, p.134), “communication research is
often conducted in situations where you cannot select the kinds of probability samples used in large scale social survey.” Purposive sampling will be used to collect the data needed. For this study, undergraduates will be the target respondents because the government of the state of Perak plans to make the state as an education hub in Malaysia (Looi, 2018).
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