INFLUENCE OF SELECTED SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS: CASE OF KENYATTA UNIVERSITY, MOMBASA CAMPUS, KENYA
INFLUENCE OF SELECTED SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS: CASE OF KENYATTA UNIVERSITY, MOMBASA CAMPUS, KENYA
Kimang’a Chris Nyaanga - Student, Master of Arts in Public Policy and Administration, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Daniel Mange Mbirithi - Lecturer, Department of Public Policy and Administration, School of Law, Arts and Social Sciences, Kenyatta University, Kenya
ABSTRACT
In the contemporary society, academic performance of students is affected by many factors whereby some are controllable and others non-controllable. Social media platforms have become indispensable in our day-to-day life. The influence of social media platforms has been witnessed in almost all facets of human life. The snowballing effect of social media usage; has affected either positively or negatively students’ academic performance. Academic achievement is an essential aspect in any students’ academic life particularly undergraduate students. The study set to investigate the effects of social media usage on academic performance of undergraduates. This study adopted two theories: Use and Gratification theory and Technological Acceptance Model. Correlational research design was adopted by this study and survey questionnaires were used as the research instrument. The total population was 732 undergraduate students. Taro Yamen’s formula was used in obtaining the sample size of 280 undergraduate students. Pilot study was conducted before the actual study was undertaken with the aim of checking reliability and validity of the research instruments. Survey questionnaires were administered to undergraduate students at Kenyatta University, Mombasa Campus, Kenya. The collected data were analyzed using correlation (Pearson’s) technique on the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The analyzed data were displayed in tables, and Likert scale. Findings indicated a positive and significant effect of selected social media platforms’ use on academic performance of undergraduate students at Kenyatta university, Mombasa campus. It was concluded that social media platforms are used to share course outlines amongst students, facilitate group discussions and is a source of communication on assignments and class projects. Social media platforms are used during lecture sessions, during group discussions, during assignments taking, when studying in the library and during private reading. Engaging in group discussions on social media platforms enhances collaborative learning, allowing students to share insights and deepen their understanding of the course concepts. This study recommends that institutions of higher learning in Kenya to institute policies that would enhance the responsible use of social media platforms amongst the undergraduate students.
