Social Media Use in Academics: Undergraduate Perceptions and Practices

The aim of this research was to elicit student perceptions and practices regarding the use of social media in the academic setting. More specifically, the objectives of this study were to (1) assess student perceptions of technology use in an academic setting and to rank their preferences; (2) determine which resources and communication options available to students and faculty are preferred by students; (3) determine if those preferences change depending upon the reason for communication; and (4) determine if students want to use social media in an academic setting, and if so, in what ways and for what purposes. Using an electronic survey instrument, undergraduate students at a regionally accredited Mid-South university in the United States were asked to rank their preferences regarding the use of eight different communication resources as part of a college course. In addition, students were asked to identify the social media tools they currently use and for what purpose(s), both in and out of the classroom.The results showed that, overall, Facebook was the most commonly used technology, that students use social media primarily for communicating with friends, and email is the preferred method for sending and receiving class-wide and individual communication, and that a learning management system is the preferred method for submitting class assignments and examinations. However, students generally do not want to use social media for academic activities.