Title: The use of social media as a learning tool in higher education

Authors: Majd Alomar

Addresses: Department of Education Technology, College of Education, Qassim University at Al-Mulaida, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract: Social media is emerging as a method that promotes lifelong learning and encourages communication between students and faculty on a global scale. This paper discusses a survey study on the use of social media among students and faculty at Qassim University. The study identifies commonly used social media platforms for educational purposes, examining how social media is integrated into teaching and learning. The results show evolving patterns and a shift in preference from platforms used in the previous decade. Student engagement and collaboration have improved, yet the study notes the digital divide and less favourable impact on faculty communication. It also addresses barriers such as privacy concerns, digital literacy, and technological accessibility. Platforms like WhatsApp and YouTube are highlighted for their role in peer collaboration and professional development. The paper discusses best practices for social media integration in Saudi Arabian universities, aiming to foster digital literacy, data security, and information credibility.

Keywords: higher education; social media; online learning; online collaboration; online communication; Saudi Arabia.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSMILE.2025.150113

International Journal of Social Media and Interactive Learning Environments, 2025 Vol.7 No.2, pp.135 - 163

Received: 16 Jul 2024
Accepted: 02 Jan 2025
Published online: 01 Dec 2025 *

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