The Contribution of Social Media to Academic Performance in Higher Learning Institutions: A Case of of the College of Business Education in Dar es Salaam.

Technology has no doubt revolutionized how tasks are completed worldwide and although social media and students have developed such a bond that has resulted in numerous benefits, negative consequences have also been noted. It is with this understanding that the contribution of social media to student academic performance is assessed in the current study. This study specifically examined the effects of social media on knowledge exchange, students’ engagement, and learning process on academic performance among students enrolled at the College of Business Education (CBE) in Dar es Salaam. The mixed research approach was applied in the current study; thus, quantitative research methods were dominantly used and supplemented by the qualitative approach. The study revealed that social media enhances knowledge transfer, facilitate knowledge dissemination, enhance quick flow of information, promote knowledge sharing and students’ participation in debates. Also the study found that social media connects students in learning, improve students’ academic interaction and enhances students’ online collaborations and information sharing. It was thus recommended as per findings that the use of social media for academic purposes should be encouraged in higher learning institutions with precaution. Conclusions were that excessive use of social media may result to repercussions such as internet addiction, posing a threat to students’ academic performance as grades decline. Keywords: Social Media, Knowledge Exchange and Learning Proces