Secondary Teachers\u27 Perception On The Educational Use Of Social Media: A Qualitative Study

The penetration of different social networking platforms and tools is increasing rapidly among Internet users across the world. Given the dynamic and rapidly evolving nature of online education and social networking, it is felt that there is a need for further research into different issues that may act as encouraging factors, or barriers to, the use of SMSs (Social Media Sites) as educational tools. Rapid increase in the use of mobile computing devices, especially among the youth, has opened up new opportunities for imparting education. Sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube have the ability to create a different learning environment for students in this day of age. Being a qualitative study, teachers will be observed and surveyed to determine the attitude of teachers towards the use of SMS tools and platforms in online education. One on one interview will be scheduled with the English teachers to gather a more thorough response. The results will be recorded and coded to reflect the original hypothesis, can new opportunities for imparting education online be created by the understanding and acknowledgment of English teachers within the classroom. Responses that have certain ‘flair’ to them such as negative, positive, neutral, and questioning will be evaluated. Relating these responses to teacher demographics will also help understand the test group while keeping their confidentiality. Determining the resistant factors that affect the studies goal will be conducted with teachers within Chapin High School, where the researcher is located