Perception and Attitudes of College Teachers towards Academic Social Networking Sites : with special reference to the college teachers of Nagaon District of Assam

Abstract

Academic Social Networking Sites (ASNS) have become one of the popular and important platforms in the changing scenario of highereducation in the 21st century. The ASNSs have been playing a pivotal role in knowledge sharing especially within academic community. The present study tries to explore the perception and attitude of College Teachers of Nagaon district, Assam towards
academic social networking sites.A structured questionnaire designed for data collection was distributed among the college teachers through email and WhatsApp. The study gives a clear picture about the awareness and use of ASNS by the college teachers of Nagaon district. Data analysis revealed that 99% of the respondents were aware of ASNS. The study further showed that 97% of the respondents have their account in various ASNS. Out of the surveyed ASNS 79.59% respondents have accounts in Research Gate followed by Academia.Edu (60.2%). The College Teachers have been using these ASNS for various reasons such as for uploading publications, to communicate with academicians and researchers etc. This is the first study of its kind on perception and attitudes of college teachers towards academic social networking sites of Nagaon District of Assam.