The Relationship between the Use of Virtual Social Networks in Educational Interactions during the COVID-19 Crisis and Student Academic Performance Considering the Mediating Role of the Quality of Learning Experiences

The advent of technology and mass media, including virtual social networks, has led to changes in traditional education and educational interactions. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between the use of virtual social networks in educational interactions and students' academic performance with the mediating role of the quality of learning experiences of students at the Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences.

In this descriptive correlational study, 327 students of Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences in 2020 were surveyed by stratified relative sampling. In order to collect data, questionnaires were used on the use of social networks in educational interactions in Klimshastani (2016) and the quality of learning experiences of Newman (1990), and the criterion for measuring academic performance was students' Grade point average. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16 software and pearson correlation tests, multiple regression analysis and Sobel test.

The mean score of students in using social networks was in educational interactions (3.45± 0.88), learning experiences (3.65± 0.71) and academic performance (17.05± 1.42). Findings showed that there is a significant positive relationship (Z= 2.41, p <0.05) between the use of virtual social networks in educational interactions with students' academic performance with the mediating role of the quality of learning experiences. The use of these networks in educational interactions has a significant positive relationship with their academic performance (r= 0.72, p<0.05). There is a significant positive relationship (r = 0.61, p <0.05) between the use of virtual social networks in educational interactions with the quality of their learning experiences and the quality of learning experiences has a significant positive relationship with students' academic performance (r= 0.587, p <0.05).

Due to the significant relationship between research variables, it is suggested that in addition to face-to-face training, virtual education should be used to improve education.