Beyond classroom investigation into social media use patterns of Agricultural Technology students

Abstract

The integration of social media into higher education has reshaped learning and communication dynamics, especially in fields such as agricultural technology in this study, we examine the patterns of social media use among Agricultural Technology students at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) in Bauchi, Nigeria. The research investigates the purposes, influencing factors, challenges, and the association between degree classification and social media use. The study is guided by the theoretical framework of Connectivism and employs a survey design. The population consists of 225 agricultural technology students at ATBU Gubi Campus, and systematic random sampling was used with a sample size of 100 students. The data collection instrument is a validated questionnaire, and the data analysis performed using SAS JMP version (17) includes descriptive statistics such as mean, quantiles, standard error, and standard deviations for answering the research questions and inferential statistics such as chi-square and Likelihood Ratio tests, were employed to test the hypotheses. The results reveal that social media serves both academic and personal purposes for students, with factors such as content relevance and accessibility influencing usage. Challenges include poor network connection and difficulty in finding relevant content. A significant association is found between degree classification and the purpose of social media use, emphasizing the impact of academic factors. The study contributes to the literature by providing insights into social media usage patterns among agricultural technology students, informing tailored educational interventions and strategies.