SOCIAL NETWORKS: A CONTEMPORARY ACADEMIC ANALYSIS

Abstract

Goal: The aim of this study is to analyze the context of social networks in the academic environment.

Design/Methodology/Approach: It is a descriptive and exploratory research with a qualitative approach. The research participants were 13 (thirteen) students regularly enrolled in the Professional Exercise discipline of the undergraduate nursing course at a Higher Education Institution (HEI) in the interior of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Data collection was performed with the application of a questionnaire and the analysis of the results was performed with Content Analysis.

Resuls: The study identified that the participants are mostly in the age group of 18 to 25 years and between the 1st and 2nd semesters of the undergraduate course. It was identified that all participants have wifi at home and most have access to the mobile network on the cell phone. As for the use of social networks, WhatsApp was the most cited by the participants, who use 3 to 4 hours daily on these media. According to the findings, the participants use social networks with the purpose of bringing people together through communication and with regard to the academic environment, the search for content and support materials for the classroom were the most remembered.

Originality½Value: The results described and discussed here compose an important contemporary scientific fragment. This study sheds light on several questions that touch the use of social networks and the academic environment, directing future studies that deepen the applicability of the theme.