摘要：This paper demonstrates the role of social media as a learning technology foruniversity students and highlights their problems associated with its use. Thepopulation of the study consisted of Masters’ and Bachelor Studies studentsstudying in their final semesters in the departments of Social Sciences at TheIslamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan; and using social media for more thanthree years. The data was collected from 450 students taken convenient cumpurposively according to the nature of study. A questionnaire on five point rating(Likert) scale was developed and used as a research tool. The tool was finalizedafter its pilot testing and it was administered to elicit opinions of the respondents.The study demonstrated that social media plays a significant role as a learningtechnology. Its careful use promotes opportunities of virtual interactions amonguniversity students, instant access to multiple, latest, reliable and students’preferred sources of learning. It facilitates in nurturing critical thinking, problemsolving approach and argumentation among university students by illustratingapplication of theories and/ or techniques through examples, visuals andillustrations and videos, and assists them with mastery learning and futuristicapproach through task oriented activities.
关键词：social media; learning technology; virtual community of learners; virtual;learning environments; information and communication technologies
