Effects of social media on academic performance and social life of students at advanced school level: A Case study of Oriel Boys;' High in Harare District, Zimbabwe.

Author

Ruswa, Adore

Title

Effects of social media on academic performance and social life of students at advanced school level: A Case study of Oriel Boys;' High in Harare District, Zimbabwe.

Abstract

The use of social media in education is significantly influencing the academic and social life of learners. Institutions and academicians are using social media technologies hoping to excite critical thinking skills, collaboration, and knowledge construction and facilitate instruction in general. Today social media has been embraced by learning institutions as an important learning platform where learners connect with their instructors, fellow learners and other higher authorities across the board. This therefore called for the study to explore and examine how social media has impacted on learners’ academic performance and social life. Four Research questions guided the study. To achieve this, the descriptive survey research design was adopted. The study focused on leaners at Oriel boys high hence, population consists of the 3452 leaners. Probability purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample of 30 learners. A structured Questionnaire type and an interview guide, was used to collect data from the participants. The descriptive statistics of frequency counts and percentage, were used to analyze the data. Research findings showed that a great number of leaners are addicted to social media. To this end, the researcher recommended that social media should be used for educational purposes as well; and Learners should be monitored by teachers and parents on how they use these sites This is to create a balance between social media and academic activities of learners to avoid setbacks in the academic performance of the learners.

Date

2022

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Social Media

Academic performance

Students' social life

Oriel Boys' High

Harare District, Zimbabwe

Supervisor

Dr. Mudzamiri, E.