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

12 Downloads (Pure)

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

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Using WhatsApp to enhance students’ learning: a cohort analysis at a UK university'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this