The Use of Social Networking Sites (SNSs) by PAAETs SLIS

The Electronic Library Journal. 2015, Vol. 33 Issu. No. 4

Dr. Essam Mansour*

Assistant professor
dr.essamman@gmail.com

The School of Library & Information Science
The College of Basic Education, PAAET, Kuwait
&
The Faculty of Arts, South Valley University (SVU), Qena, Egypt


Introduction
Social Networking Sites (SNSs) like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, MySpace and many, have become part of
the daily life of many people all over the world. Perryman (2011) stated Social networking is everywhere today and is being
used by people of all ages and for the widest variety of purposes (p. 145). According to Alexas statistics, SNSs have become
the most trafficked websites, and they are ranked as one of the top sites visited globally. They have become a reality and integral
part of our daily personal, social and business life. Chen and Bryer (2012) stated that the use of social media has surged globally
in recent years. As of July 2011, Facebook passed 750 million users, LinkedIn had over 100 million members, Twitter had over
177 million tweets per day, and YouTube reached three billion views per day. According to Boyd and Ellison (2007), the primary
purpose of these amazing sites is to connect people based on common language or shared racial, sexual, religious or nationality-
based identities, shared interests, political views, and activities. They help to develop relationships that transcend racial, cultural,
social, political, and geographical barriers. Studies conducted in the field of education have revealed that the effective integration
of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) into the learning environment engage students in higher-order thinking
(Jonassen, Peck & Wilson, 1999; Kearney & Treagust, 2001). According to Semenov (2005), faculty members play an important
role not only in the integration of ICTs, but also in the transformation of the whole education system. They have many positive
impacts on the life of the learners as they increase the rate and quality of collaboration, help them better to communicate and
share information quickly, and this increase their productivity greatly and help them learn how to work well in groups. Being
one of the most famous emerging technologies, SNSs should be used as a teaching and learning tool in helping students and
teachers as well achieve higher levels of success in and out of the classroom. The University is committed doubtlessly to meet
and support this use and it should do its best to insert new and suitable technologies into the process of both learning and teaching
as a core part of its learning and teaching strategies.

The Statement of the Problem
Social networking sites are considered the biggest community the Web have ever witnessed. They are widely used
among different people for different purposes and activities. Little is still known about the use of these sites by the University
community, especially at the level of faculty members, who are used to communicate and connect with peers and students as well
for many purposes. Specifically, the School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) at the Public Authority for Applied
Education and Training (PAAET), the state of Kuwait, lacks some information regarding the use of such sites as tools that could
be used for communicational and educational purposes. Therefore, PAAETs SLIS and the like may benefit from this study
towards the determination of suitable polices regarding the use of such technological sites.

The Purpose and Significance of the Study
The purpose of this study is to describe the usage of SNSs by faculty members of one of the Arabic library and
information science schools, namely PAAETs SLIS. It will provide with valuable knowledge in developing and using research
regarding SNSs as one of the most important and emerging information and communication tools. This study may be a good and
important contribution to the task of establishing a baseline body of knowledge concerning SNSs and faculty members in the
state of Kuwait, especially at the academic level, where the lack of such knowledge is currently apparent. Being conducted in one
of the Arab countries, this study can be used for future comparisons with these countries, where socio-economic factors are likely
to be similar. Researchers in these countries who are interested in faculty members technology use, especially of SNSs, may
build some of their research agendas on the findings, discussions, conclusions and recommendations of this study.


*Ph. D in library & information science, the University of Pittsburgh, USA.
MLIS in Library & Information Science, the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA.
BA in Library & Information Sciences, Cairo University, Egypt.