Social Media and Learning: Instagram Effectiveness Study in English Learning

Abstract

One of the basic courses that must be studied by students is English. English for Specific Purposes is a set of  English language skills specific to a specific purpose. Writing skills are one of the skills that have less than the maximum achievement seen from the value of the result of Iraqi student learning in informatics engineering at the university of Baghdad. In this study, the researchers used Instagram, as a medium for learning ,to show how it motivates students to learn English. The technique of data collection used was the result of both pre-test and post-test writing, as well as observation, and documentation. To show  the effectiveness of Instagram as a learning tool, the  researchers assessed the results of questionnaires from students. A sample of this study consisted of 30 students majoring in informatics engineering at the university of Baghdad. The stages of the data collection process of this study include; (1) observation of the subject of this study, (2) socialization stage with students about how to learn how to use social media, in particular Instagram; and (3), the implementation of this research: at this stage, the students received material and also looked for other supporting materials, as well as discussed and received suggestions and input from lecturers and friends. (4) The last is the stage of implementing the use of Instagram as a means of discussion as well as for posting the results of student work.