Abstract:

This study explores the potential of social media as a tool for enhancing university field trips. Specifically, we examine the role of social media in promoting language learning, fostering student commitment, and enabling cultural immersion during a Polytechnic University of Guarda student group's visit to Madrid in May 2022. Drawing on quantitative and qualitative data from surveys before and after the field trip with participants and analysis of social media posts, we find that social media can be a powerful asset in these areas. By providing a platform for communication and collaboration, social media can facilitate language learning and cultural exchange among students. Additionally, social media can increase student engagement and commitment to the trip, as students are able to share their experiences through posts and hashtags connecting with each other before, during, and after the trip. Overall, our findings suggest that social media has the potential to significantly enhance the educational value of university field trips, and we provide recommendations for educators looking to incorporate social media into their own field trip programs.

Keywords:

Social media, field trips, educational technology, experiential learning.