Analyzing the roles of virtual social networks (VSNs) on the students' learning and teaching (Case study: agricultural college of Bu- Ali Sina University)

The study's population included 500 both graduate and undergraduate students at Bu-Ali Sina University in 2017 academic year. A number of 217 students were randomly selected as samples using Morgan's sampling size table. In order to validate the questionnaire and access to reliable variables both panel of experts and a pre-test method were used. The reliability of the questionnaire estimated with R, was 0.88. Results showed that majority of the students (52.4 %) agreed to virtual social networks with a positive attitude. The students on graduated level and female gender have used VSNs more than other groups. The results of factor analysis of the effects of social networks on improvement of learning activities showed that the most important factors were the exchange of information with classmates and teachers, improving the culture of study and learning, improving personal and social communication and increasing the probability of job placement. The factors explain 61% of the variance of all variables. Also, the results of Spearman correlation coefficient showed that there is a significant relationship between gender and educational level of agricultural students with their attitude toward using social networks in the level of 99%, and the results of Kruskal Wallis test also indicate that between The attitude of male and female students towards social networks is significantly different at 99 percent