Using WhatsApp to enhance students’ learning: a cohort analysis at a UK university

Xiuli Guo, Matthew France, Paul Cowley

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

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    Abstract

    Postgraduate students potentially experience a range of challenges (both academic and non-academic) whilst studying in the UK. This study seeks investigate the effectiveness of social media app Whatsapp in helping enhance the postgraduate student experience, focusing on four key areas: social benefits, psychological benefits, academic benefits, pedagogic effectiveness. Through a qualitative approach, feedback was gathered regarding the lived experiences of twelve management postgraduate students at a UK university during the course of 2018. The feedback of the students in the study indicated that whilst Whatsapp does provide several positive benefits and opportunities for postgraduate management students e.g. a more interactive and accessible learning context as well quality and speed of feedback; the use of Whatsapp as a learning tool does raise some important questions regarding issues of in-class tension, communication barriers (both staff and student) and privacy.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of the 14th International Technology, Education and Development Conference
    Pages8304-8313
    Number of pages10
    ISBN (Electronic)9788409179398
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 4 Mar 2020
    Event14th International Technology, Education and Development Conference - Valencia, Spain
    Duration: 2 Mar 20204 Mar 2020

    Publication series

    NameProceedings
    ISSN (Electronic)2340-1079

    Conference

    Conference14th International Technology, Education and Development Conference
    Abbreviated titleINTED2020
    Country/TerritorySpain
    CityValencia
    Period2/03/204/03/20

    Keywords

    • higher education
    • student engagement
    • WhatsApp

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