CHAPTER 1
The Problem and Its Background
This chapter presents the background of the study, conceptual framework, research
paradigm, statement of the problem, hypothesis of the study, significance of the study, scope and
limitation, and lastly, definition of terms.
Background of the Study
Social Media refers to any web-based applications that provide content production and
exchange. Also, it allows virtual human interaction. Social media comprises all services that
promote the development, sharing, and exchange of user-generated content, including networking
websites like Facebook and Twitter. Internet forums, groups, blogs, microblogs, networking sites,
social bookmarking sites, wikis, podcasts, content communities for articles, video/photo sharing
sites, Q&A sites, review sites, and so on are a few examples. There are merits to each type of social
media and are designed for the inclusion of everyone.
The origins of social media may be traced back to the early days of the Internet when people
began exchanging information and talking with one another. The earlier platforms were closed to
ordinary users for they lack technical knowledge but as technology advanced, platforms progressed
that was more "all-inclusive". This allows regular users with no technological background to use
the services. Unlike before, now it is available for them to create their content, share it with others,
respond to people, collaborate with them, and more. The interaction sparked the growth of social
media. Social media granted people to express their thoughts and opinions
and share them with everyone. Moreover, it stretched its facilities for romantic connections,
business-related activities, scholastic purposes, and many more.
Social media was not tentatively intended for educational means. However, its flexibility
offered to extend its applications for bridging academic gaps. Hence, researchers globally
investigate its role. Many have supported and agree that social media as a learning platform works
effectively for academics’ collaborative tools and increased the accessibility of educational
material. Nonetheless, their services have moved forward only to such an extent due to their limits.
Furthermore, little is found about social media’s access to learning materials, therefore, the
credibility of social media has not been announced as strongly positive or negative.
The relationship between the role of social media and students’ learning boundaries has
been researched internationally. This research serves as a future reference to the researcher with a
similar context to understand. On top of that, it creates an improvement in the proper adaptation
of social media in institutions.
The Philippines have not been exempted from the growth of social media as an educational
program. It has been more highlighted since the heights of the Covid-19 pandemic. As students,
who first-hand experience social media as a learning avenue, this showed the researchers a subject
to understand that is time relevant.
Conceptual Framework
Input Process O
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1. Profile of the 1. Survey
respondents Questionnaire
1. Age Social Media's Role as a
2. Sex Learning Platform to
2. Data Interpretation
3. Grade Level Ernesto Rondon High
School Students
3. Presentation of
2. Social media's role
Data
1. Facebook
2. Twitter
3. YouTube
Figure 1: Paradigm illustrating the relationship of the variable in the research.
Social Media has broadened its utilization as an instructional tool although not intended. It
behaves as a collaborative and communicative tool. Moreover, it serves as the learning manual for
the audience. Social media have succeeded thus far to function as a learning platform in this
manner.
Students utilize mobile devices and social media for academic collaboration, availability
to course material, and tutoring, which are all outstanding educational e-learning alternatives.
Facebook includes features that allow learners to interact productively. Facebook group has group
customization and information reciprocity. Messenger, on the other hand, offers a wide array of
messaging services. Twitter outperformed traditional classroom teaching methodologies with
respect to resource and information transmission. It encourages participants to communicate with
one another. YouTube not only provides a multitude of educational information but also fosters a
cooperative learning environment. Users can also communicate and interact with one another.
The input showcases that the learning adaptability of the students depends on the role social
media has in store. Its versatility may enhance the level of their learning adaptability by their
application of it. The procedure considers survey questionnaires, data analysis, and data
presentation sequentially. The process demonstrates the flow the researchers cogitated in order to
precisely achieve the results where our output is set.
Statement of the Problem
This study aimed to identify social media’s role in Ernesto Rondon High School students
when they use social media as a learning platform.
Specifically, it aimed to answer the following questions:
1. What are the roles of the following social media as a learning platform?
a) Facebook
b) YouTube
c) Twitter
2. Is social media an effective learning platform?
3. As a learning platform, how does social media positively influence student learning?
Research Hypothesis
1. The researchers hypothesized that social media does not play any significant role in
students' educational needs.
2. The researchers hypothesized that social media does not positively influence student learning.
Significance of the Study
The role of social media as a learning platform has been explored over the years. Its
growing and large-scale influence call to be explored as time advances.
The breakthrough of this research can support to such great extent the following:
The students can use the study to adjust their study techniques by manipulating social
media adeptly. Also, it increases their productivity.
The teachers can better understand how students can learn considering technology has
matured. Adapt the following technology products to their instructional methods.
Parents can use the study to better guide their children build their learning mechanisms.
Future researchers, this study can serve reference for those with alike subjects to
investigate.
Scope and Delimitations
This study was designed to evaluate the role of social media, particularly Twitter,
YouTube, Facebook and Messenger as a learning platform. The researchers examined the learning
platform as access to learning materials and a communicative tool. Thus, the study excluded any
direct comparison to traditional learning settings and rather aims to understand how social media
gap the insufficiency of traditional settings. Additionally, it does not cover teachers’ adaptation to
social media as a learning platform. This study focuses on social media as an educational delivery
tool to students only.
The students from grades 7 to 10 from Ernesto Rondon High School S.Y 2021-2022 were
the chosen participants for the study.
Definition of Terms
The following variables are defined in order to provide clarification on the meaning of the
terminologies used in the study.
Collaborative means to collaborate with others or to cooperate together, particularly in an
intellectual pursuit.
Communication is the speech, writing, or signs are used to convey or exchange thoughts,
opinions, or information. Something that is given, exchanged, or conveyed. A document or
message that conveys news, opinions, or information.
Content refers to whatever you post on social media, whether it's a text update, a photo, a
graphic, a video, a link, or anything else
Learning is the process of learning new information, skills, values, attitudes, and
preferences.
Learning platform is a collection of interactive online services that provide information,
tools, and resources to teachers, students, parents, and anyone involved in education in order to
support and improve educational delivery and administration.
Social media is a computer-based technology that allows people to share ideas, thoughts,
and information through virtual communities and networks.