Urgency of social media-based civics education instruction in higher education

Abstract

This study aimed at formulating the relevance and urgency of social media content with civics education learning material. This study used the qualitative research method. The instruments used were interview guidelines, observation guidelines and documentation study guidelines. Strategic issues on social media related to citizenship skills were Pancasila ideology, law enforcement, black campaign, politics of identity, conflict of diversity, national disintegration, terrorism, intolerance, spreading of hatred and hoaxes. These social media content deserve to be the problems that are examined in the process of civics education instruction because they are contextual, challenging, value-based, meaningful and fun for the students. Studies on social media content were very important because all students used social media and made it as a source of learning; the contents of social media were related to citizenship skills; social media content that was not analysed comprehensively created misconceptions; the content on social media was contextual; social media content was more attractive for the students to be studied in lectures; and studying the citizenship issues that existed on social media familiarised the students to a critical and democratic thinking. Social media has become an essential means of communication in global life with increasingly sophisticated technological means.

Keywords: Civics education, social media, learning resources.