The Role of Social Media in Enhancing Learning in Digital Age: A Qualitative Study from Private University Students in Bangladesh
Nayeema SultanaSchool of Business, Bangladesh Open University, Gazipur-
Email: nayeema@bou.ac.bd
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Purpose: This paper aims to understand how social media platforms are used for
educational purposes and how they engage students in the learning process in the
context of private universities in Bangladesh.
Methodology: As the study is explorative in nature, qualitative research approach
was adopted to gather in-depth insights into the experiences of both students and
faculty members. The participants were divided into two clusters: Cluster-1,
consisting of 37 students from bachelor’s to master’s levels, and Cluster-2,
comprising 19 faculty members with at least three years of teaching experience.
Findings: Social media platforms have recently transformed traditional educational
paradigms. In Bangladesh, university students’ social media usage has surged due to
affordable smartphones and widespread internet access. While exploring the role of
social media in enhancing learning in the digital age, the findings revealed that
social media significantly enhances student engagement, promotes collaborative
learning, facilitates access to educational resources and information sharing, and
fosters real-time communication between students and teachers.
Practical Implications: This study discusses the usefulness of social media
platforms for resource sharing, cooperative learning, and student involvement in
higher education. Additionally, university curricula ought to incorporate instruction
in digital literacy to assist students in analyzing and utilizing social media content
for academic purposes.
Value/Originality: This research provides original perspectives on social media
applications as they are currently transforming the nature of student engagement
and learning in private universities in Bangladesh through a qualitative approach.
Limitations: One key limitation of the study is that it focuses on a limited sample
from private universities only, which may not fully represent the broader
experiences of students and faculty across different educational institutions in
Bangladesh.