The Role of Social Media and Online Communities in Learning and Collaboration in the Age of Digital Transformation

Abstract

This study explored the utilisation of Web2.0 social networks by Ukrainian students, a pertinent aspect of contemporary pedagogical practice. The objective was to analyse and assess how social networks influence the learning process and student collaboration within the university setting. The study included a survey among 140 students randomly selected from different higher education institutions in Ukraine. The collected data were analysed using statistical analysis methods, which allowed us to formulate a hypothesis about the active use of social media for educational and collaborative purposes by Ukrainian students. The findings of the study suggest that respondents utilize social media for a range of activities and types of communities. These tools, originally introduced to ensure communication with friends and family, are now actively used by students for independent learning and collaboration. The substantial spread of social media in higher education has contributed to the transformation of learning and teaching by enabling participants to actively engage in enriched knowledge sharing and collaborative activities. Thus, the study emphasises the importance of social media in shaping modern pedagogical practices, contributing to the development of active, interactive and collaborative learning in the university environment. The integration of social media into the education system is a current issue that requires further enhancement, considering the identified challenges. The integration of these networks into educational processes is realised through the creation of an open environment for collective learning between students, which reinforces their importance in informal teaching practices. The study's scientific novelty lies in highlighting the hypothesis that digital transformation transforms social networks from simple communication tools into integral elements of the educational process, where students are actively involved in their own learning and knowledge exchange.