How students use social networks in education?

Abstract

The aim of this study is analysis of the use of social networks (SN) by Russian students in training. The study analyzed the results of the survey respondents from 25 universities of the Russian Federation (375 participants). Results of the study showed that 95% of students use SN in education, 5% refuse them. Students spend about 24% of their time to SN for the purpose of learning. Remaining time they spend on entertainment (41%), finding useful information (28%) and other (7%). Distribution of training time takes students: 35% - in the classroom with a teacher, 22% - using a variety of ICT (not including SN and LMS), 21% - extracurricular work without ICT, 15% - in SN, 7% - in LMS. Social networks are the de facto space for learning, and it’s happening at the initiative of the students themselves. And if the teacher offers students interact via the network in the course, the students’ attention more switches from entertainment to education.