Possibilities of using social networks in the modern educational process in universities

Abstract

The article discusses issues related to the study of the main attributes of the modern digital media space – social networks. The key issue, which is reflected in this article, concerns the educational potential of social networks, as well as their abilities in the context of the system of professional training of modern, competitive and most relevant specialists. The essence and specificity of social networks, their segments, effects and developing areas are determined. The possibilities of using social networks in the modern educational process in universities are revealed, and the process of their use is actualized, their certain potential is emphasized, as well as the effectiveness and inefficiency of individual elements of social networks. The study was based on a questionnaire survey – one of the most statistically useful and significant methods for researching the impact and effectiveness of socially significant technologies used in any area. The questioning was carried out among the student and pedagogical communities of the Republic of Crimea through a questionnaire and a survey posted on the “Vkontakte” social network, receiving the priority attention of most students and teachers both for personal communication and for remote interaction for educational purposes. In total about 100 teachers and about 150 students from various Crimean universities, areas of training, forms of education took part in the survey. The topic of the questionnaire is “The determination of educational opportunities for using social networks in the modern educational space of the university” and “The identification of the most effective options for using social networks in the modern educational process of the university”. The respondents gave answers to the questionnaire questions anonymously and impartially, which guarantees the reliability and accuracy of the results obtained.