Student Perception and Preferences With Social Media for Enhanced Learning in Health Sciences Following Post-COVID-19 Era: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

BackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, universities worldwide pivoted to distance education, primarily online, using various blended learning tools. In the contemporary era, characterized by widespread high-speed internet and the ubiquity of social media (SM), SM has become an essential tool, especially among students. This study aimed to assess the perception, impact, and preferences of various SM platforms for learning among health sciences students in the post-COVID-19 era. MethodologyThe study was conducted at constituent colleges of Jouf University and Northern Border University between January and June 2022. Responses from 560 students were assessed using a self-administered, pre-validated questionnaire comprising 31 questions. These questions addressed students' perceptions, preferences, and learning modes derived from SM. Descriptive and inferential statistics evaluated the influence of SM on student learning. ResultsOn average, students spent 3.18 hours daily on SM. YouTube (41.1%) and Instagram (37.1%) emerged as the most preferred platforms for learning. A significant 86.4% of students utilized SM for accessing subjectrelated texts and watching related videos. Moreover, 78.6% believed that SM platforms enhanced their subject knowledge following lectures. Logistic regression analysis indicated maximum learning benefits for students who used SM between two to three hours daily. ConclusionSocial media platforms, when used judiciously, can enhance the learning experience for health sciences students in the post-COVID era. While offering opportunities to acquire new knowledge and skills, care must be taken to prevent misuse, abuse, or related health hazards.