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.

Type of Study/Originality/Value: A survey of IGNOU Academics on ‘use of Social Networking Sites/New Media Tools in Tutoring, Counseling and Student Support Services’ was conducted by the authors to find the effective use of SNS for imparting education through Google form and analysis of data was done through descriptive statistical techniques. This study would be useful to understand the need for strengthening the ICT infrastructure and to provide more training facilities in Higher Educational Sector on effective utilization of SNS, keeping in view, the important and efficient role of SNS as new media tools for Tutoring, Counseling and Student Support Services.