Use of Interactive Social Networking Sites in Academic Counseling and Student Support Services: A Study on IGNOU Academics

Abstract

Purpose: Media tools brought a paradigm shift in all IGNOU regional centers’ academic
activities while dealing with student support services, course induction programs, promoting
ODL academic programs in their entire region during recent years and also in covid 19 times.
Application of new media tools are affordable and effective communication tools to bridge the
gap between learners and institutions. Samart e-portal being developed by MHRD, allows quick
update of students’ info on day to day basis, emails, Facebook, WhatsApp, messenger, Google
meet, Instagram and twitter also proved to be very handy in disseminating institutional info
to their learners in fraction of seconds globally. This study critically examines how IGNOU
Academics effectively using new media tools in all their mundane academic and student support
activities. Secondly, try to find out the training needs of academics to improve competence for
optimal use. Finally this study comes out with valid suggestions as how to improve capacity
building training and infrastructure strategies.

Design/Methodology/Approach: This research study used both primary and secondary data
for its qualitative and quantitative research inputs. The study adopted a convenient sampling
method to examine various aspects like, use of interactive media technologies by respondents
in all their academic counselling and student support services online. A survey was conducted
with the help of web based Google forms, prior to sending the survey questions to respondents,
all the questions were verified and validated by the experts in the similar fields.

Findings: This study found that, irrespective of their gender and age group, on day to day basis,
IGNOU Academics are extensively using new media tools and Social Networking Sites for
imparting pre and post admission counseling and also using for all their Student Support Services,
which includes simple tools like bulk SMS, email apart from Facebook, Skype, WhatsApp and
Google Meet etc. Majority of the respondents requested capacity building training to enhance
their efficiency. This research study strongly recommends that all ODL institutes earmark special
budget provisions to develop state of the art capacity building computer labs for providing one
to one training. These computer labs should be equipped with latest version computers and
software. This study also strongly recommends ODL institutions should also acquire high
capacity servers with super-fast bandwidth to provide Internet facilities.