Integrating Instagram in Learning Strategies for Tertiary Blended Learning Course: A Case of Student Experience

Abstract

Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) encourages lecturers in applying Blended Learning as one of the delivery methods in teaching and learning processes. The university also has introduced ‘Week Without Walls’, an initiative whereby students will gather online and form study groups to create their own learning methods to study more efficiently with their peers. In this case study, the enhancement of learning process by social media with Instagram for the Plant Propagation Course at the tertiary level in Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sarawak Branch was investigated. The exploratory study used both qualitative and quantitative methods in data collection. Qualitative approach involved in synthesizing the comments of 31 students and evaluated based on the SAMR model and the Bloom’s taxonomy of the educational objectives. The quantitative approach used a set of questionnaire with data collected via google form where the link was disseminated via social media platforms to all respondents. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The two segments of SAMR of enhancement and transformation were observed to be adopted by the students in line with Learning Outcomes of the Ministry of Education, Malaysia based on Boom Taxonomy. Although 85% of the respondents used Instagram in their social communication, only 29% strongly agreed and 43% agreed on using Instagram as a teaching/learning tool. The remaining 28% preferred the traditional face-to-face teaching/learning. The highlight of the group that supported using Instagram indicated that it could be freely used everywhere and anytime in preference to replacement classes. In addition, they were able to engage with all the course-mates outside of class more effectively as they could post their thoughts on the topics of other group assignments. The study confirmed the integrating Instagram in the learning strategies were accepted by majority of the students because of the benefits of flexibility and had provided a platform in learning which support the blended learning courses offered by higher education institution.