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Contribution of Social Networks in Learning: A Study in Higher Education

Abstract:

Social networks are the most used technological platforms in the information and knowledge society, and especially among young people. Due to their importance, higher education educational units have considered them as strategic learning tools. This article deals with the use of social networks and their relationship with group work and academic performance. The methodological approach used was quantitative, the data were contrasted through a descriptive study, where a previously validated questionnaire was applied to 234 students from different degrees in the administrative area of the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja with a Likert questionnaire (1–5). When analyzing the results through structural equation modeling, this study found that there is a positive relationship between the use of social networks and group work, in the same way between the use of social networks and academic performance. Students use social networks mainly because they are flexible, allow interaction with other people, share information, achievements, strengthen motivation and develop the ability to work collaboratively.