Cultural Dimensions’ Effects on Perceptions of Learning Using Social Media: A Comparative Study between the University of Sharjah and the University of Arkansas Students

Authors

T. Snoussi, Department of Mass Communication, College of Communication, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAEFollow
A. Alrubaye, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Arkansas, USAFollow
A. Radwan, Department of Public Relations, College of Communication, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAEFollow
E. Khalil, Department of Public Relations, College of Communication, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAEFollow

Abstract

This research examines the impact of cultural dimensions on perceptions of social media as an educational tool in two different contexts. The study included 815 students volunteered to answer the survey questions from the University of Sharjah (UoS) in the United Arab Emirates and the University of Arkansas (UoA) in the United States of America. The results were analyzed via SPSS, and then counteracted with a Push-pull-mooring model to check for differences in terms of cultural contexts that would be reflected in perceptions of the value of social media in learning. The results reveal a number of differences. Students from the University of Sharjah are more immersed in social media for learning, and more interested in forming strong, long-term, and reliable collaborative friendships based on the exchange of ideas and academic assistance. By contrast, students from the University of Arkansas seem to be short-term oriented because their use of social media is related to discussion and instant chat. The authors conclude that UoS students’ perceptions reflect a culture of collectivism that invests in social networks to enhance the already deeply rooted offline social activities, while those from UoA reveal a culture of individualism in which social media use is restricted to self-information.

Recommended Citation

Snoussi, T.; Alrubaye, A.; Radwan, A.; and Khalil, E. (2023) "Cultural Dimensions’ Effects on Perceptions of Learning Using Social Media: A Comparative Study between the University of Sharjah and the University of Arkansas Students," Information Sciences Letters: Vol. 12 : Iss. 3 , PP -.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.aaru.edu.jo/isl/vol12/iss3/24