International Journal of Social Sciences: Current and Future Research Trends

The Effect of an Extensive Use of Social Media on Psychological Measures: Self-Esteem, Interaction Anxiousness and Internet Addiction

Turana Aliyeva — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 15:35:34 +0000

This study is an attempt to examine the relationship between the use of internet/social media, self-esteem, and anxious feelings in the process of social face-to-face interactions with others. In addition, gender differences and social-economic status of study participants was examined during the analysis. Study participants were recruited via convenience sampling (students taking psychology course) and a quantitative online questionnaire was sent to the participants (N=66) over 16 years old. A Pearson bivariate correlation determined a negative relationship between social media use and self-esteem in study participants. Self-esteem decreases as the study participant reports higher levels of internet addiction. Gender based mean differences for the extended use of social media and the levels of self-esteem were not found to be statistically significant. However, there were evident gender based differences for the levels of anxiety. The levels of interaction anxiousness of female study participants were higher compared to male participants. Study failed to determine differences between study sample’s levels of anxiety, self-esteem and their self-reported socio-economic status. Further implications are discussed throughout.

Fundamental Thermal Concepts: an Assessment of University College Students' Conceptual Understanding of Everyday Perspectives

Gil Nicetas B. Villarino — Sun, 26 Jun 2022 20:27:14 +0000

Addressing students' alternative conceptions draws out a conceptual change that leads to the quality of learning processes. Fundamental thermal concept phenomena are a challenging topic within the initial instruction of thermodynamics. A physically adequate concept of thermal is crucial for grasping the processes underlying everyday perspectives. This research was conducted to investigate students' understanding of fundamental thermal concepts from everyday perspectives. The 19 open-ended multiple-choice items in the questionnaire used in this study required written justifications for students' choice of responses. The items involving topics in fundamental thermal concepts about heat transfer, temperature change, heat conductivity, and equilibrium were based on a previously developed questionnaire and from students' alternative conceptions obtained from the research literature. The items, which were based entirely on everyday perspectives with scientific terminology avoided, were administered to 244 university college students of Leyte Normal University Tacloban City, Leyte, Philippines. Students' responses in each of the four conceptual groups were identified into different categories of understanding. The study showed that students' written responses have some common specific alternative conceptions. The majority of the students could not offer a valid reason for their answers. The results of this study may imply the teaching style in Philippine junior and senior high schools that may be problematic. Also, the students' alternative conceptions could be used as a guide for developing proper teaching strategies on the introductory physics course, especially in fundamental thermal concepts.

Integrating Social Media in English Language Instruction: Views of Primary School English Language Teachers in the Manzini Region of Eswatini

Siphelele Dlamini, Zodwa Gcinaphi Nxumalo, Sithulisiwe Bhebhe — Sat, 02 Jul 2022 18:10:14 +0000

The study sought to establish the views of primary school English language teachers on the integration of social media in English language instruction and was based on the following research questions: What are the teachers’ views on integrating social media in English language instruction at primary school level? What are the benefits of integrating social media in English language instruction at primary school level? What are the challenges of integrating social media in English language instruction at primary school level? Having adopted the qualitative research approach with a case study research design where a sample of five (5) private schools drawn from a population of fifteen (15) private schools was randomly selected, ten (10) teachers (two from each school) were purposively selected to take part in the study. The data were collected using a semi- structured interview guide and an observation guide. The study found that integrating social media in English language instruction was beneficial to teachers and learners as it enhanced the teachers’ instruction and in this way the learners benefitted from the instruction. Social media also ensures that learners collaborate, interact, and are actively involved as they control their own learning with minimal guidance from the teachers. The challenges of integrating social media in English language instruction were that learners use social media for purposes for which they have not been instructed. Also integrating social media in instruction is complex and requires that teachers be trained on its use.

The study recommends that The Ministry of Education should provide frequent in-service training workshops for teachers so that they can be able to appropriately integrate social media in their teaching of English Language. Disciplinary measures should be clearly stated and known by teachers, parents and the learners in order to control the abuse of social media in the classroom and at home.