Title: Students' use of the internet and social networking sites for learning at Sultan Qaboos University

Authors: Ali Sharaf Al Musawi; Mohammed E. Ammar

Addresses: Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 32, 123 Al Khodh, Oman ' Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 32, 123 Al Khodh, Oman

Abstract: Students increasingly use the internet and social networking sites but there is little research evidence of its use in fields of learning, specifically in the Arab educational environment. This study therefore investigates students' use of the internet and social networking sites for learning activities and games at the Omani Sultan Qaboos University. To achieve the purpose of the study, a survey questionnaire was developed as the main research instrument. The tests for validity and reliability were conducted during a pilot study. The questionnaire was then administered to the study sample, which was purposive and included (73) educational technology course students who were aware of advanced media including social networking sites. Findings show that the internet and e-mail are frequently used by students, wireless connections and mobile technologies spread quickly among the students and students use search engines for educational purposes. Two research hypotheses were rejected and a third one was accepted. Conclusions and recommendations were then drawn.

Keywords: social networking sites; SNS use; Oman; higher education; internet usage; student use; educational technology; e-learning; electronic learning; online learning; university students.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSMILE.2015.070775

International Journal of Social Media and Interactive Learning Environments, 2015 Vol.3 No.2, pp.142 - 161

Received: 08 Aug 2014
Accepted: 05 Mar 2015
Published online: 24 Jul 2015 *

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