Role of Educational Social Media Platforms in Enhancing Student Learning among University Students

Abstract

The fast emergence of social media is not only changing the social life but also the education process in higher education. This paper discusses the importance of educational social media sites to improve learning among the university students in terms of engagement, collaboration, resources accessibility, motivation, and digital literacy. Based on the recent literature and an empirical, mixed-method research among undergraduate students, the paper examines the role of platforms like discussion forums, educational groups in mainstream social media (e.g. Facebook groups, WhatsApp, Telegram), and specialized educational networks (e.g. Edmodo, Piazza, Slack, and LinkedIn Learning communities) in cognitive, affective, and behavioral learning outcomes. The quantitative data indicate statistically significant positive changes in perceived engagement and collaborative skills in frequent users, whereas the qualitative feedback indicates the benefits (peer support, quick feedback) and issues (distraction, misinformation, privacy concerns). The paper ends by providing empirical suggestions to teachers and institutions to incorporate the affordances of social media in pedagogy without negatively affecting academic integrity and student welfare.