WhatsApp platform uses in Teaching and Learning in South African Tertiary Institutions

Obrain Tinashe Murire, Bramwell Kundishora Gavaza

Abstract


Over the past decade, there has been a growth in the usage of new technologies, such as WhatsApp applications, for teaching and learning in educational settings. This study investigates how the WhatsApp platform influences teaching and learning in tertiary institutions. It focuses on tertiary institutions where WhatsApp platforms have become essential for online learning. Connectivism learning theory is applied as a conceptual framework to analyse the influence of the WhatsApp platform on teaching and learning at tertiary institutions. Using a qualitative methodology, a scoping analysis was conducted of 13 academic publications published between 2018 and 2023, which focused on the use of the WhatsApp platform as a learning tool. The study found a notable growth in the usage of WhatsApp as a teaching and learning tool in higher institutions. In addition, the study established that no clear policy guides the use of WhatsApp platforms in teaching and learning in tertiary institutions. Nevertheless, adopting WhatsApp in higher education has several advantages, including improved connections between lecturers and students. The study suggests utilising WhatsApp platforms to improve instruction in higher education facilities and a policy must be developed that speaks to the formal use of WhatsApp in teaching and learning. Future studies should concentrate on the effects of further use of new technologies on teaching and learning in tertiary institutions.

https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.22.9.28


Keywords


emerging technologies; teaching and learning; tertiary institutions; whatsapp platform

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References


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