Social Media in Higher Learning: Is it a tool for Social or Academic Purpose? A Comparative Study between MoCU, Tanzania and LUANAR, Malawi

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the extent and purposes of social media uses among higher learning students. The study was conducted at the Moshi Co-operative University (MoCU) in Tanzania and Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) in Malawi between May and October 2014. A total of 140 randomly selected students, 70 from each university, were surveyed using a cross-sectional research design. Results showed that more than 80% of students from each University use social networking sites (SNSs), with MoCU students being more active users when compared to LUANAR students. Facebook was the most popular SNS in both Universities, used by more than 90% of students. Students in both Universities use SNSs for both social and academic reasons. However it was interesting that 60% of students in each University use SNSs for social reasons. The study recommend that Universities should take the high rates of SNS uses among students as an opportunity within which academic uses can be applied.