Social media use among basic school teachers in Ghana: exploring opportunities and challenges

Abstract

Social media has increasingly become a vital tool for communication and collaboration in the global education sector, including Ghana. However, there is limited empirical research on the use of social media by basic school teachers in Ghana. This study explored the use of social media by this group of teachers, focusing on the associated opportunities and challenges. Using a descriptive survey design; an online questionnaire was administered to 1,014 randomly selected basic school teachers. The study found that Facebook and WhatsApp were the most used platforms. Teachers used social media for various purposes, including communication with colleagues, parents, and students; professional development; and resource sharing. However, concerns about the effects and challenges of social media use, such as addiction, time consumption, high data expenditure, cyberbullying, and unreliable internet access, were also identified. The findings provide valuable insights into the current state of social media use by basic school teachers in Ghana and improve our understanding of the potential benefits and challenges associated with its use in education. This study suggests that the Ministry of Education should develop guidelines and policies to ensure teachers’ responsible and effective use of social media to improve teaching and learning in Ghana.