International Journal of Education and Development using ICT

International Journal of Education and Development using ICT > Vol. 17, No. 4 (2021)

Social Media Usage and Transitioning into Online Classes During COVID-19- A Survey of Undergraduate Students in Georgia, United States

Sylvia H Ofori, Georgia Southern University, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health
Janet Choongo, Georgia Southern University, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health
Mario Kekop, Georgia Southern University, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health
Gulzar H Shah, Georgia Southern University, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health
Haresh Rochani, Georgia Southern University, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health
Joseph Telfair, Georgia Southern University, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health

Abstract
Previous studies on the use of social media (SM) during the COVID-19 pandemic have focused on the use in sustaining academic communication. This study aimed to assess the association between SM and the ease of transitioning to online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic using survey data from 872 undergraduate students. The findings showed that Snapchat and Instagram were the most preferred social media sites among participants. Compared to students who use SM for <2 hours a day, use for > 5 hours (AOR= 2.44; 95% CI, 1.13 – 5.25) or 3 to 5 hours a day (AOR = 2.01, 95% CI 1.06-3.81) increased the odds of easily transitioning to online classes. Students reported relatively lower odds of ease in transition to online studies if they felt that SM increased their stress (AOR = 0.45, 95% CI, 0.32-0.66). The use of social media for formal academic communication could stimulate an interactive learning environment, foster social presence, and enhance learning outcomes.

Full Text: PDF

Research
Support Tool