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Responses to COVID-19 in Higher Education: Social Media Usage for Sustaining Formal Academic Communication in Developing Countries

Author

Listed:
  • Abu Elnasr E. Sobaih

    (College of Business Administration, King Faisal University, P.O. Box 400, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
    Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management, Helwan University, P.O. Box 12612, Cairo, Egypt)

  • Ahmed M. Hasanein

    (Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management, Helwan University, P.O. Box 12612, Cairo, Egypt)

  • Ahmed E. Abu Elnasr

    (Higher Institute for Specific Studies, Future Academy, P.O. Box 11771, Cairo, Egypt)

Abstract

The worldwide pandemic of COVID-19 has forced higher education institutions to shift from face-to-face to online education. However, many public institutions, especially in developing countries, often do not have access to formal online learning management systems (LMS) for facilitating communication with students and/or among faculty members. This research empirically examines the extent to which social media sites are adopted by faculty members and students for sustaining formal, i.e., sole and official tools, academic communication. For this purpose, online questionnaire surveys, supplemented with in-depth interviews, were undertaken with both faculty members and students. The results showed that students’ personal usage of social media has promoted its effective usage for sustaining formal teaching and learning. However, significant differences were found between faculty members and students regarding social media usage for student support and building an online community. Students used social media for building an online community and supporting each other, whereas faculty members were focused on teaching and learning exclusively. The results confirm that proper usage of social media could promote a new era of social learning, social presence and an alternative platform to foster online learning. Research implications for higher education policymakers, especially in developing countries, and scholars are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Abu Elnasr E. Sobaih & Ahmed M. Hasanein & Ahmed E. Abu Elnasr, 2020. "Responses to COVID-19 in Higher Education: Social Media Usage for Sustaining Formal Academic Communication in Developing Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-18, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:16:p:6520-:d:398022
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stathopoulou, Anastasia & Siamagka, Nikoletta-Theofania & Christodoulides, George, 2019. "A multi-stakeholder view of social media as a supporting tool in higher education: An educator–student perspective," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 37(4), pages 421-431.
    2. Ming Yuan Hsieh, 2020. "The Most Sustainable Niche Principles of Social Media Education in A Higher Education Contracting Era," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-18, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Shafi AlDousari, 2023. "Capacities and Obstacles of Kuwait Medical Educational Sector in Transitioning Education System to Online Form: A Paradigm Shift," International Journal of Business and Management, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 16(12), pages 1-88, February.
    2. Fan Zhang & Jianbo Pang & Yanlong Guo & Yelin Zhu & Han Zhang, 2023. "A Study of Factors Influencing the Use of the DingTalk Online Lecture Platform in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-17, April.
    3. Mostafa Aboulnour Salem & Abu Elnasr E. Sobaih, 2022. "ADIDAS: An Examined Approach for Enhancing Cognitive Load and Attitudes towards Synchronous Digital Learning Amid and Post COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-16, December.
    4. Rahiem, Maila D.H., 2021. "Remaining motivated despite the limitations: University students’ learning propensity during the COVID-19 pandemic," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    5. Jenalyn Shigella G. Yandug & Erika Mae D. Costales & Ardvin Kester S. Ong, 2023. "A Conjoint Analysis Approach, Implications, and Mitigation Plans in Analyzing Students’ Preferences for Online Learning Delivery Types during the COVID-19 Pandemic for Engineering Students: A Case Stu," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-15, March.
    6. Mansour A. Alyahya & Ibrahim A. Elshaer & Fathi Abunasser & Osama H. Mahmoud Hassan & Abu Elnasr E. Sobaih, 2022. "E-Learning Experience in Higher Education amid COVID-19: Does Gender Really Matter in A Gender-Segregated Culture?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-12, March.
    7. Abu Elnasr E. Sobaih & Ishfaq Ahmad Palla & Abdul Baquee, 2022. "Social Media Use in E-Learning amid COVID 19 Pandemic: Indian Students’ Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-12, April.
    8. Abu Elnasr E. Sobaih & Amany E. Salem & Ahmed M. Hasanein & Ahmed E. Abu Elnasr, 2021. "Responses to COVID-19 in Higher Education: Students’ Learning Experience Using Microsoft Teams versus Social Network Sites," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-12, September.
    9. Alejandro Quiroz Flores & Farhana Liza & Husam Quteineh & Barbara Czarnecka, 2021. "Variation in the timing of Covid-19 communication across universities in the UK," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(2), pages 1-25, February.
    10. Uthman Alturki & Ahmed Aldraiweesh, 2021. "Application of Learning Management System (LMS) during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Sustainable Acceptance Model of the Expansion Technology Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-16, October.
    11. Masouda A. Gurban & Abeer S. Almogren, 2022. "Students’ Actual Use of E-Learning in Higher Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(2), pages 21582440221, May.
    12. Muhammad Zaheer Asghar & Seema Arif & Javed Iqbal & Pirita Seitamaa-Hakkarainen, 2022. "Social Media Tools for the Development of Pre-Service Health Sciences Researchers during COVID-19 in Pakistan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-22, January.
    13. Claudiu Coman & Laurențiu Gabriel Țîru & Luiza Meseșan-Schmitz & Carmen Stanciu & Maria Cristina Bularca, 2020. "Online Teaching and Learning in Higher Education during the Coronavirus Pandemic: Students’ Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-24, December.
    14. Renzhong Peng & Qiqin Hu & Bochra Kouider, 2023. "Teachers’ Acceptance of Online Teaching and Emotional Labor in the EFL Context," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-19, September.
    15. Khloud Alshaikh & Shaikhah Maasher & Afnan Bayazed & Farrukh Saleem & Sahar Badri & Bahjat Fakieh, 2021. "Impact of COVID-19 on the Educational Process in Saudi Arabia: A Technology–Organization–Environment Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-19, June.
    16. Mohamed A. Shabeeb & Abu Elnasr E. Sobaih & Ibrahim A. Elshaer, 2022. "Examining Learning Experience and Satisfaction of Accounting Students in Higher Education before and amid COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-12, December.
    17. Ibrahim A. Elshaer & Abu Elnasr E. Sobaih, 2022. "FLOWER: An Approach for Enhancing E-Learning Experience Amid COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-13, March.

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