Relationship Between Perception and Use of Social Media in Distance and Open Learning by Faculty of Universitas Terbuka Indonesia

Abstract

The study aimed to find the relationship between the perception and use of social media towards the paradigm shift of teaching as design science for faculty of Universitas Terbuka, Indonesia. The descriptive and mixed design (both qualitative and quantitative) was used to conduct the study. A focus group with the faculty of Institute of Learning Material Development and Distribution, Examination, and Information System of Universitas Terbuka was conducted. Initially the nine faculty members were exposed to the concept of paradigm shift towards teaching as design science, social capital and design science both in English and Indonesian languages. The focus group discussion was followed by three interviews to triangulate the views and identify the indicators for the questionnaire. Afterward, a questionnaire to measure the social capital strengths in three dimensions (Relational, Cognitive and Structural) was designed on the basis of initially collected data. The reliability and validity of the questionnaire was assured through judgmental approach. A purposive sample of thirty faculty members was selected from the teaching faculty of the Universitas Terbuka. It was found that the perception of the Universitas Terbukafaculty members was positive towards the use of social media in their teaching- learning process. They were well aware of the potential of the young learners in the use of social media and are of the view that it may be utilised to reach the objective of optimization of the learners’ achievements. The researchers recommended a dual cyclic model for the appropriate use of the social media for the purpose of teaching as design science.