Abstract:

Social networks constitute one of the ways of communication most used among undergraduate students, and can be a valuable tool in the teaching-learning process at the University. Regarding this, it is invaluable for teachers to investigate the level of knowledge that students have about the different social networks that are currently available. Thus, social networks could be used for teaching purposes.

In this research the results obtained were obtained by surveying students from different courses and degrees taught at the University of Extremadura (Medicine, Biotechnology, Economics, Chemistry and Enology). One hundred seventy-one students aged between 18 and 25 years (medium age of 19.8 years old) were surveyed, of which 57.3% were women.

The study showed that 97.7% have a profile on social networks, of which 80.6% have an associated digital identity. Among the addressed social networks, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram turned out to be the most used, being Twitter the most popular, with a 95% of users.

84% of students with a Twitter account said that they had a good understanding of this social network and 70.4% of them considered it a very useful tool support in the teaching-learning process. The form also contained a series of questions designed to ascertain their knowledge of specific aspects of the management of this network.

Based on the results obtained, the use of Twitter in the subject Agrochemical and Food Organic Chemistry (an optional course belonging to the forth course of the degrees on Chemistry and Oenology) was implemented through the Virtual Campus of the University of Extremadura. This experience was valued by students as a great opportunity for learning, while making an improvement in the teachers-students communication, making it more direct, fluid and faster, thereby promoting a rapprochement between both sides.

Keywords:

Social Networks, Twitter, Teaching-learning process, Agrochemical and Food Organic Chemistry.