A COMPARISON OF SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES USE AMONG UNDERGRDUATE STUDENTS IN TWO SELECTED AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES: UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, NIGERIA AND BAISAGO UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, BOTSWANA
ADU, E.O PhD
[email protected],
[email protected] BAISAGO UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, BOTSWANA ` & TELLA, ADEYINKA PhD
[email protected],
[email protected] UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN. NIGERIA
Abstract Social networking sites are emerging technological tools very useful in the dissemination, sharing and processing of information. The use of these tools is now common place particularly among undergraduate students. However, studies on the comparison of the use of social networking sites particularly by undergraduate students from two different universities in Africa are currently lacking. The authors of this paper conceived the idea of carrying out this study in order to bridge the identified gap. Therefore, the study examines through survey approach a comparative analysis on the use of social networking sites by undergraduate students of university of Ilorin, Nigeria and BA ISAGO University College, Botswana. A total of 400 undergraduates students were drawn from four faculties from each of the university. Questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. Five research questions were developed and answered. The results obtained have suggested that respondents were familiar to and use SNSs; while the most commonly use SNSs revealed include Facebook, MySpace, YouTube and Twitter. The most prominent uses of SNSs are for making friends and chat with friends and sending and receiving messages. More respondents used the SNSs on a daily basis at the BA ISAGO University College than University of Ilorin. Respondents from both universities clearly indicated that SNSs contribute to their learning in terms of improving their grade performance and as means of educating one another. Keywords: Social Networking sites, Social media, Information Communication Technology, Emerging technology tools, Communication and Information Sciences, Undergraduate students. Introduction The evolution of social networking sites (SNSs) and their adoption is now fast-paced. With this development social networking sites are now being ingrained into the students’ daily communication. Simply put, SNSs have now become the students’ way of life or the way of communication in the 21st century. The term social networking refers to a process of relationship building among a group of people who have a common interest (What is Social Networking, 2010). Also social networking is the grouping of individuals into specific groups, like small rural communities or a neighbourhood subdivision. Social networking sites are communities of people who share interests and activities or who are interested in exploring the interests and activities of others. Most activities on SNSs are primarily web-based and provide a collection of various ways for users to interact, such as chat, messaging, email, video, voice chat, file sharing, blogging, discussion groups, and so on. Social networking is possible in person,
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especially in the workplace, universities and high schools, it is most popular online. The internet is filled with millions of individuals who are looking to meet other people, to gather and share first-hand information and experiences about golfing, gardening, aesthetics and cosmetic surgery, developing friendships or professional alliances, finding employment, business – to – business marketing etc., (Suraweera, 2010). When it comes to online social networking websites are commonly known as social networking web sites and promote a number of social network services. It allows users to share ideas, activities, events and interests within the individual networks. No doubt, the use of social networking sites is now common place especially among the undergraduate students. The situation now is like an undergraduate student who does not belong to one social networking site or the other is dwelling in the past and not going in the direction, trend and development of information and socialisation in the world. As social networking sites are emerging technological tools very useful in the dissemination, sharing and processing of information; the pertinent question is how do social networking sites relevant and useful for the Communication and Information Sciences undergraduate students? How is social networking sites relevant to their learning? How are this group of students making use of SNSs? These and many other relevant questions will be answered in this paper. No doubt, there is paucity of research in this area in the Nigeria context. Communication and information sciences students are students learning about issues related to ICTs and how they can be used to communicate process, share, transmit and disseminate information. There is need to examine how students in this category are keeping pace with the trend and development in the digital age. It is against this background that this study examines the undergraduate students and their uses of SNSs. It is expected that the outcomes from the paper will be considered additional information on the literature in this area particularly in Nigeria and Botswana. To achieve this objective, the study will 1. Determine the types of social networking sites used by undergraduate students, 2. Find out the uses of SNSs to the undergraduate students in the two universities 3. Examine the extent, to which undergraduate students in the two universities used SNSs, 4. Find out the impact of SNSs on undergraduate students’ learning in the two universities. To achieve the above stated objectives, the following research questions were developed and answered by the study. 1. What are the SNSs commonly used by the undergraduate students in the two universities? 2. What use do the undergraduate students in the two universities put SNSs? 3. What is the extent of use of SNSs by the undergraduate students in the two universities? 4. What is the impact of SNSs on the undergraduate students’ learning? Literature Review Concept of Social Networking Sites The term "social network site” is usually used to describe this phenomenon and "social networking sites" also appears in public discourse, and both are often used interchangeably (Helou and Ab-Rahim, 2010). The term "networking" emphasizes relationship initiation, often between strangers which is one of the main activities in the SNSs usage (Boyd and Ellison, 2007). The varied social networking tools are increasingly used by individuals of all ages but are especially popular among young people and college students. The advantages of SNSs to the students could include but not limited to: provide news or information for users, provide links to recommended Internet resources; book reviews, information about new books; provide entertainment or amusement for users; provide news or information; book discussions; provide news or information for trustees; provide research tips and communication among the students (Clyde, 2004) Most common SNSs are Facebook and MySpace. MySpace has approximately 70 million users in the United States but has recently experienced a decline in the number of users compared to Facebook (Arango, 2009). According to comScore marketing data, Facebook saw 100 million US users during November 2009, a record for the Web site (Lipsman, 2009). Although MySpace was originally the most popular social networking site, Facebook started with college students at Harvard and originally permitted only users with a college email address to register (Chu & Meulemans, 2008). Past estimates have placed Facebook with an 85 percent market share among college students
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(Mathews, 2007b). As a result of its strong user base among college students, Facebook appears to be the most logical social networking Web site. Most recent discussions about social networking focus on Facebook rather than MySpace. Methodology Method and Design The study adopts a pure quantitative method using a survey approach. Survey approach was chosen in order to allow the researcher to draw on large sample which is representative of the total population (Babbie, 2004). Population The population for this study comprised the entire undergraduate students in the two selected African universities: University of Ilorin, Nigeria and BA ISAGO University College, Botswana. These two universities were chosen because much has not been documented about them as far as the use of social networking sites is concerned. Moreover, the two authors of this paper are lecturing in these respective universities. Sample Selection Four faculties (Faculties of Commerce, Law and Para-legal studies, Built Environment, Arts and Sciences, and Education) made up BA ISAGO University College, Botswana and University of Ilorin. Nigeria was included in the study. From each of the faculty, 50 respondents were randomly sampled; this gave a total of 200 respondents from each University. Altogether, 400 respondents represent the sample for the study. Data Collection Instrument Data on this study was collected through a self-designed questionnaire, the development of which was informed by the objectives of the study, research questions and literature review. The questionnaire has two sections. Section A requires the respondents bio-data information include name of school, faculty, age, sex, level/year of study. Section B contains the items. The section is further divided into five parts, each focus items on each objective in the study. Validity and Reliability To ensure the reliability of the questionnaire used in this study, a test re-tests reliability method of two weeks interval using Cronbach Alpha was adopted. The overall reliability was also determined through this effort. The correlation co-efficient of 0.75 and above suggests the questionnaire is highly reliable and can be recommended for future use. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Methods used for the analysis of the collected data involved Percentages, Frequency Count, Mean and Standard Deviation. The results of the analyses are presented as follows: Table 1: Demographic Information Demographics Unilorin % Baisago % Gender Male 130 57.5 95 47.5 Female 70 42.5 105 52.5 Total 200 100.0 200 100.0 Age 18- 25 years 120 60 100 50 26-35 years 62 31 65 32.5 36-40 years 12 6 25 12.5 41 years + Total Year of Study (level)
6 200
3 100.0
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10 200
5 100.0
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
40 50 40 35 35
20 25 20 17.5 17.5
40 40 40 40 40
20 20 20 20 20
Total
200
100.0
200
100.0
The demographic information of respondents who took part in the study in table 1 revealed that 130 (57.5%) male from university of Ilorin, Nigeria while the number of male from the BA ISAGO University, Botswana were 95 (47.5). The number of female participants from the University of Ilorin was 70 (42.5%) while their counterpart from BA ISAGO University was 105 (52.5%). This indicates that more male from university of Ilorin and more female from BA ISAGO University took part in the study. On the age distribution of the respondents, the study shows that 120 respondents (60%) fall within the age range of 18 -25 years at the university of Ilorin while 100 (50%) fall within the age range from BA ISAGO University. A total of 62 respondents representing (31%) at the University of Ilorin fall within the age range of 26-35 years while 65 (32.5%) of their counterpart from BA ISAGO University fall within the same age range. Respondent’s whose age fall within 36-40 years from University of Ilorin numbered 12 (6%) while their counterpart in the same from BA ISAGO was 25 912.5%). Only 6 respondents age fall within 41 years and above from University of Ilorin and 10 respondents (5%) were from BA ISAGO University. In terms respondents years and levels study, the study revealed that 50 respondents representing (25%) year two students constituted the majority participants from the university of Ilorin followed by 40 respondents (20%) each in year one and three while respondents in year 4 and 5 were 35 (17.5%) each in number. On the other hand, 40 respondents representing (20%) were each selected from year one to five in case of BA ISAGO University. Table 2: Common Social Networking Sites Used by Students N = 300 S/N University of Ilorin, Nigeria Baisago University, Gaborone, Botswana Types of Social Networking Sites
Mean
Std Deviation (SD)
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9
Facebook Twitter YouTube Flickrs Nickdl Yookos Fotolog LinkedIn Netlog
1. 4520 1.3102 1.9439 1.8449 1.4125 1.9406 1.9241 1.8845 1.6865
.49755 .46335 .23051 .36261 .49311 .23677 .26529 .32017 .46470
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Types of Social Networking Sites Facebook MySpace Twitter YouTube LinkedIn Nickdl Netlog Flickrs Fotolog
10.
MySpace
1.5776
.49477
10.
Yokos
Mean
Std. Dev. (SD)
1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1.
4311 3321 3111 3101 3021 3000 2987 2978 2974
.47453 .47221 .46211 .46000 .45998 .45987 .45694 .45644 4.5562
1.
2964
.45550
Table 2 reveals the common SNSs used by the respondents. The results revealed Facebook as the most commonly used SNSs by respondents from both Universities with (University of Ilorin: Mean 1. 4520 and SD .49755 and BA ISAGO University Mean 1.4311; SD .47453). The second commonly used SNSs indicated by the respondents from University of Ilorin is Twitter with (Mean- 1.3102 and SD .46335) while that of BA ISAGO University is MySpace
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with (Mean 1.5776 and SD .49477). YouTube followed as the third SSNs site indicated by University of Ilorin respondents with (Mean 1.9439 and SD .23051) while that of BA ISAGO University is Twitter with (Mean 1.3111; SD .46211). The next commonly used SNSs by University of Ilorin respondents is Flickrs with the (Mean 1.8449 and SD .36261) and that of BA ISAGO is YouTube with (Mean 1.3102 and SD .46000). Other commonly used SNSs indicated by the respondents followed in these order: University of Ilorin Nikdle (Mean, 1.4125; SD .49311 and BA ISAGO Linkedln (Mean. 1.3021; SD .45998), Yookos, University of Ilorin (Mean. 1.9406; SD .23677) and BA ISAGO University (Nickdl. 1.3000; SD .45987); Fotolog, University of Ilorin (Mean. 1.9241; SD .26529), BA ISAGO University Netlog (Mean. 1.2987; SD .45694). Linkedln, University of Ilorin 1.8845, SD .32017; and BA ISAGO University Flickrs, (Mean 1.2978 and SD .45644). Netlog, University of Ilorin (Mean 1.6865 and SD .46470); BA ISAGO University Fotolog (Mean 1.2974 and SD .4.5562) and lastly University of Ilorin, MySpace (Mean 1.5776, SD .49477) and BA ISAGO University Yokos (Mean. 1.2964 and SD .45550). Table 3: Uses of SNSs S/N
Item- What use do you put the SNSs?
1. 2. 3. 4.
For making friends and chat with them Sending and receiving massages Sharing and Collaboration Playing games
5.
Academic purposes- communicating with supervisors/lecturers and classmates on lecture materials or assignments
Unilorin Frequency 63 (31.5 %) 15 (7.5%) 21 (10.5%) 45 (22.5%)
BA ISAGO University 85 (42.5%) 25 (12.5%) 20(10%) 30(15%)
52 (26%)
40 (20%)
Table 3 shows the use of social SNSs by the respondents from both Universities. The results revealed that the majority of the respondents from University of Ilorin 63 (31.5%) and 85 (42.5%) from BA ISAGO University use SNSs for making friends and chatting with them. Respondents from University of Ilorin 52 (26%) and BA ISAGO University 40 (20%) indicated using SNSs for Academic purposes including communicating with supervisors/lecturers and classmates on lecture materials or assignments. Other uses include for playing games University of Ilorin 45 (22.5%) and BA ISAGO University 30 (15%); sending and receiving messages, University of Ilorin 15 (7.5%) and BA ISAGO University 25 (12.5%) while sharing and collaboration was indicated by 21 respondents (10.5%) from University of Ilorin and 20 (10%) from BA ISAGO University. Table 4: Extent of Social Networking Sites Use by the Students S/N Item- How often do you use the SNS Unilorin you have identified? 1. On a daily basis 60 (30%) 2. Weekly 50 (25%) 3. Fortnightly 70 (35%) 4. Monthly 20 (10%)
BA ISAGO 110 (55%) 60(30%) 20 (10%) 10 (5%)
On the extent of SNSs use by the respondents, the results revealed that (55%) respondents from BA ISAGO University used SNSs on a daily basis compare to (30%) from the University of Ilorin. This might be due the incessant power failure usually experience in Nigeria compare to Botswana where power is more stable. More respondents (35%) used SNSs fortnightly at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria while only (10%) did so with the same interval at the BA ISAGO University. More respondents from University of Ilorin Nigeria use SNSs on a monthly basis compare to BA ISAGO University.
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SNSs Impact on Students’ Learning Table 5: Contribution to Learning Unilorin, Nigeria Sharing ideas with students outside our country Learning from others experience Educating one another Getting information Acquisition of new and unique knowledge which has helped to improve my GPA Total
BA ISAGO University, Botswana
50 (25%)
45 (22.5%)
25 (12.5%)
30 (8.5%)
35 (17.5%) 30 (15%)
35 (17.5%) 35 (17.5%)
60 (30%)
55 (25%)
200 (100.0%)
200 (100.0%)
The respondents indicated SNSs has contributed to their learning include the acquisition of unique knowledge through interaction with colleagues on SNSs has improve their GPA. This was indicated by (30%) of the respondents from University of Ilorin and (25%) from the BA ISAGO University. This is followed by sharing of ideas with fellow students outside their country with (25%) from University of Ilorin and (22.5%) from BA ISAGO University. Other contributions indicated are: educating one another ((17.5%) from universities, getting and collection of learning materials (15 %) from University of Ilorin and (17.5%) from BA ISAGO University. Last learning from colleagues’ experience was indicated by (12.5%) from University of Ilorin and (8.5%) from BA ISAGO University. This result implies that acquisition of unique knowledge which has helped to increased GPA is the greatest impact of SNSs indicated by respondents from both universities. Conclusion This study has so far examined a comparative analysis of the’ uses of SNSs in two selected African UniversitiesUniversity of Ilorin, Nigeria and BA ISAGO University College, Botswana. The results obtained have suggested that respondents were familiar to and use SNSs; while the most commonly use SNSs revealed include Facebook, MySpace, YouTube and Twitter. The most prominent uses of SNSs are for making friends and chat with friends and sending and receiving messages. More respondents used the SNSs on a daily basis at the BA ISAGO University College than University of Ilorin. Respondents from both universities clearly indicated that SNSs contributed to their learning in terms of improving their grade performance and as means of educating one another. Recommendations Based on the findings in this study, the following are recommended. The two universities and other institutions of higher learning could take the advantage of the popularity and positive impacts of the SNSs to formally incorporate the use of SNSs in the teaching and learning processes. This is a viable alternative to putting an e-learning platform in place which many universities in the third world countries cannot afford. There is need for Government regulatory agencies to be all and doing in terms of taken the responsibility to monitor internet activities in the country. For instance, the National Communication Commission (NCC) in Nigeria and the Ministry of Education in Both countries could assist in coming up with guidelines that focus on the use of SNSs in the two countries. Any use other than social and educational communication should be discouraged. New policy guiding the use of the internet and Web 2.0 tools of which SNSs are part should be developed and any user who violates the rules or policy should be punished accordingly. Such policy or guidelines would not only
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be useful by students but also by the teachers, parents and guardians in terms of assisting in monitoring or providing appropriate advice to their children on the use of the SNSs.
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