Table 1 Thematic overview of how and why study participants used social media to support their learning
Preferred Social Media Platforms | Frequency |
|---|---|
YouTube | 9 |
8 | |
5 | |
1 | |
1 | |
Figure 1 | 1 |
1 | |
Formal Uses of Social Media | |
Course assignments | 7 |
Clarifying course content | 5 |
Course-related sharing | 5 |
Studying for exams | 3 |
Patient education | 3 |
Informal Uses of Social Media | |
Connect with peers and the nursing community | 9 |
‘Behind the scenes’ teaching and learning | 8 |
Review clinical skills | 6 |
Follow areas of interest | 5 |
Scaffolding knowledge and accidental learning | 4 |
Why Use Social Media | |
Encouraged by programs and professors | 8 |
Convenience | 5 |
Engagement | 4 |
Why Not Use Social Media | |
Credibility and relevance of sources | 7 |
Distraction | 4 |
Professionalism | 4 |
Accessibility | 2 |
Target Audiences | |
Friends | 7 |
Family | 3 |
General public | 3 |