TOPIC: The Role of Social Media in Developing IT Students' Interest in Online Education.

Technology has become the main contributor to the advancement of countless aspects of
humanity’s current progress, and that also includes the development in the field of education.
Currently, with the help of technology, there has been an increasing amount of different learning
platforms that students can access and utilize. In this context, social media platforms have
become powerful tools that shape students' perspectives and experiences in the realm of online
education. This paper aims to explore the multifaceted role of social media in fostering interest
and engagement among IT students in the context of online education.

The Bachelor of Science in Information Technology is a course that focuses heavily on the field of
technology itself, making social media one of the most efficient ways of getting the interest of
the students studying in the said course. Also, with the help of social media, numerous learning
materials from websites, applications, and even video tutorials would lessen the burden of
searching for information, unlike traditional education. However, in some cases, going to libraries
and using tangible books and other educational resources instead of relying on the Internet to do
the work helps build up students' industriousness and lessens their tardiness, but we cannot
deny that using the Internet allows everything to be efficient, giving way for students to
accomplish many tasks in a short time. Especially in the Information Technology course, looking
for traditional learning materials regarding the curriculums encompassed within the course like
creating code to create web systems, databases, etc., could be inefficient especially if students
must finish it within a short amount of time.

Another perk of social media is that it encourages students to learn without having to lessen
their social activities. With just one scroll from any social media platform, an individual could
learn something new. A good example of this is during the pandemic, over time the COVID-19,
students were still able to learn and continue their education with the use of social media. But,
yes, we cannot deny the hardship of some students who were not able to adapt due to a lack of
needed digital devices to study online, however, several students did adapt and take part in the
online class implemented by the government, and with social media’s collaborative feature,
students are still able to connect with their classmates, teachers, and other individuals who could
help them become more engrossed in studying. Furthermore, the instantaneous nature of
platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn facilitates the swift exchange of ideas,
updates, and resources related to IT and online education. This real-time interaction not only
keeps students acquainted with the latest trends but also nurtures a sense of community among
learners, fostering a collaborative spirit. However, it is essential to acknowledge the potential
drawbacks, such as the risk of distraction and misinformation prevalent on social media.

In conclusion, social media serves as a platform for connecting and mentorship, connecting IT
students with professionals, educators, and peers. This virtual connection provides students with
valuable insights into industry trends, career opportunities, and practical applications of their
academic pursuits. Also, social media adaptability in content delivery enhances the overall learning
experience and contributes to sustaining students' interest in IT-related subjects. However, the
use of social media as an aid in supporting online education has many complications, yes, it is
noteworthy that social media did bring many developmental contributions, however, the use of
social media also brought negative impacts on students' learning. By enabling students to finish
work efficiently and fast, some students became tardy and started promoting procrastination
and other bad habits. Therefore, being an IT student myself, suggest that social media is a great
instrument for learning, entertainment, etc., but just like any other tool, its effectiveness relies
upon its user, and for us to achieve greatness in our academic endeavors, we should start
prioritizing things that we know will positively impact us greatly instead of succumbing to
distractions and laziness.