Investigating ‘WhatsApp’ for Collaborative Learning among Undergraduates

Year 2020, Issue: 5, 24 - 50, 06.04.2020

Silas Udenze Barth Oshıonebo

https://doi.org/10.32739/etkilesim.2020.5.92

Abstract

The adoption of new media technologies is rapidly becoming a trend in educational environment. Given the growing popularity of social media, it has become
pertinent to understand and adopt social media networks in developing future educational blue prints. This study investigates the extent to which WhatsApp
platform could engender collaborative learning among undergraduate students in the University of Abuja, Gwagwalada, Nigeria. To achieve this aim, a dual research methodology was employed to drive the study. Both survey and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were employed respectively. Surveying 400 undergraduates, data from the survey were analysed using Simple Percentage Table (SPT) and Microsoft Office tools, while data that emanated from the focus group were analysed thematically. The study incorporated ‘Technology Acceptance Model’ (TAM) to direct and guide it. Discoveries from the study found that “perceived usefulness” and “perceived ease of use” engender the use of WhatsApp among students. Also, it was discovered that students incorporated and domesticated class WhatsApp group for various purposes, particularly for learning. Overall, the study found that class WhatsApp group engenders collaborative learning to a large extent. However, it was discovered that the major challenge in class WhatsApp groups is the posting of irrelevant contents on the platforms. The study concluded that it is paramount to fully harness the potentials of WhatsApp in order to enhance learning in higher institutions.

Keywords

social media, WhatsApp, undergraduate, collaborative learning

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