PERCEPTION OF LECTURERS ON USE AND EFFECTS OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF UNDERGRADUATES

A STUDY OF NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, AWKA, NIGERIA.

Abstract

This study examines lecturers’ perception of the extent of use, reasons for use and the effects of social media on academic performance of undergraduate students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The study which was anchored on the Connectivism paradigm generated quantitative data through questionnaire administered on 214 respondents selected through multi-stage probability sampling. Qualitative data was also elicited via in-depth interview of four purposively selected respondents. Findings show that most lecturers’ perceive undergraduate students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, as enjoying unlimited or unrestrained access to various social media platforms. Facebook was identified as the most widely used social media by undergraduates of the institution. The study also reveals the tendency of these undergraduate students to abuse or misuse access to social media with its attendant far reaching negative consequences on their academic performance. The study therefore recommends a deliberate and planned re-orientation of these students by all agents of socialization to expose the negative consequences identified in other to stimulate appropriate use of social media for both academic advancement and overall development of the students.