5-EXPLORING THE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS’PERCEPTIONS AND UTILISATION OF YOUTUBE VIDEOS IN ENHANCING THE LEARNING PROCESSES: A CASE OF MWENGE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY, TANZANIA

EXPLORING THE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS’PERCEPTIONS AND UTILISATION OF YOUTUBE VIDEOS IN ENHANCING THE LEARNING PROCESSES: A CASE OF MWENGE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY, TANZANIA
Diana Thomas Marandu*, Peter O. Siyao** and Goodluck E. Mosha***
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**Mzumbe University Library
Department of Library & Information Studies
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***Mzumbe University Library
Department of Library & Information Studies
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Abstract
The study explored the undergraduate students’ perceptions and the utilisation of YouTube videos in enhancing the learning process at the Mwenge Catholic University (MWECAU). The case study research design was employed. The study used the sample size of 81 students obtained from a   target population of 231 sociology and social work undergraduate students. Questionnaires and interviews were specific tools used for data collection. Quantitative data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 software, while qualitative data obtained from interviews were analysed using the content analysis method. The findings indicate that
69% of undergraduate sociology students at MWECAU had a perception that YouTube videos are helpful sources of sharing academic information. It was also found that some undergraduate students taking sociology faced challenges when using YouTube videos, which hindered the flow of knowledge. The challenges include inadequate experience in using YouTube videos (52.3%), the teaching approach is teacher-centred only (49.2%) and technophobia (47.7%), among others. All these challenges act as obstructions for the students to utilise the YouTube platform to its maximum potential. The study suggests that lecturers should promote the use of YouTube videos for enhanced academic information sharing. Lecturers should also assess these videos and suggest reliable channels from which students can access pertinent and up-to-date study materials. These findings prompt higher learning institutions, specifically MWECAU to consider adopting a blended learning approach to facilitate effective knowledge delivery.

Keywords: YouTube videos, learning process, undergraduate students, audio-visual contents,
blended learning

Proceedings of the 5th COTUL Scientific Conference Held on 6th – 10th November 2023