Title: Using social media tools for enhancing student-institution interaction. A study at an Indian distance learning institute

Authors: Tushar Marwaha

Addresses: Institute of Management Technology – Centre for Distance Learning, A-16, Site 3, UPSIDC Industrial Area, Meerut Road, Ghaziabad, UP – 201003, India

Abstract: This study aims to explore the benefits of enhanced interaction amongst the students and institutions in the field of management education via distance education. Surveying students enrolled in the online mode courses at the institute of management technology - centre for distance learning (IMT-CDL), (N = 109), the study is able to identify the needs of the students, the benefits of enhanced levels of interaction and also helps to determine the effectiveness of the social networking (web)site (SNS)-based tools currently in use. The results show positive traction in the younger section of the population for using the various SNSs available and Facebook and Google Groups are among the best tools whereas Twitter is not much liked by the respondents for this purpose. Improvements in traction, familiarity and utilisation would go a long way in enhancing the interaction levels.

Keywords: ICT; information and communications technology; information technology; distance learning; distance learning; student-institution interaction; e-enabled tools; social media; SNS; social networking sites; e-learning; online learning; electronic learning; distance education; India; Facebook; Google Groups; Twitter; interaction levels.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIIE.2013.057230

International Journal of Innovation in Education, 2013 Vol.2 No.1, pp.33 - 53

Received: 11 Jan 2013
Accepted: 31 May 2013
Published online: 19 Oct 2013 *

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