STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF SOCIAL MEDIA-SUPPORTED BIOLOGY LEARNING AT AN INDONESIAN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Abstract

This study explored students’ perceptions and experiences of using social media and related digital platforms to support biology learning at SMA Negeri 7 Semarang. The study focused on students’ perceptions of these platforms as learning resources, the ways in which different platforms were used for biology learning activities, and the benefits and challenges associated with their use. A qualitative descriptive design was employed, using individual semi-structured interviews with 20 students who were purposively recruited based on predefined eligibility criteria, including prior experience using social media or related digital platforms for biology-related learning activities. The findings indicate that students perceived these platforms as useful for accessing supplementary learning resources, communicating and collaborating with peers, and supporting the preparation of learning materials. At the same time, participants reported several challenges, including distraction from non-academic content, difficulties in interpreting written communication, and uncertainty regarding the credibility of online information. These findings suggest that the educational value of social media and related digital platforms is perceived by students as context-dependent, with their usefulness shaped by the specific learning purposes for which the platforms are used and the challenges encountered during their use