Social Networks as Learning Delivery Platforms: Academic Achievement and Attitudes of Students

Social networks are technology-based applications that enable network members to communicate for mutual benefit. Research evidence has indicated that social networks can serve as learning delivery platforms that contribute to positive student learning. In the present study, three similar groups of students enrolled in an ‘Introduction to Ethics’ course, were exposed to either Facebook-based, WhatsApp-based or Twitter-based delivery of ethical concepts on their smartphones. At the end of the course, students were examined on ethical concepts. They also responded to a questionnaire that examined user-friendliness, learner motivation and learner satisfaction associated with the social networks they experienced. Results indicate that WhatsApp students attained a higher level of achievement than Facebook students who, in turn, attained higher grades than Twitter students. Additional results indicate that WhatsApp and Facebook students held more positive impressions of user-friendliness and learner motivation related to their delivery platforms than Twitter students. WhatsApp students also held more positive impressions of satisfaction with their delivery platform than Facebook students who maintained more positive feelings of satisfaction than Twitter students. Thus, WhatsApp, and to a lesser extent, Facebook, are associated with enhanced achievement and positive feelings toward their delivery platforms with Twitter students lower on academic achievement and affective variables.