ATTITUDE OF STUDENTS TOWARDS WHATSAPP FOR INFORMATION SERVICE DELIVERY
Abstract
WhatsApp is a smart phone application for instant messaging. Lately, the application’s popularity has risen. One the unique features of the application is it ability to enhance communication within a globe. Class room communication between teaching faculty and high school students using WhatsApp has not yet, to our knowledge, been researched thoroughly. Therefore, we have chosen to conduct an exploratory research project employing a qualitative method. Twelve half- structured interviews were carried out to teachers who used the application to in order to communicate with their pupils. It turns out that class WhatsApp groups are used for main purposes: communicating with students; nurturing the social atmosphere; creating dialogue and encouraging sharing among students; and as a learning platform. Thee participants mentioned the technical advantages of WhatsAPP, such as simple operation, low cost, availability, and immediacy. They also refer to educational advantages, such as the creation of a pleasant environment and an in-depth acquaintance with fellow students, which had a positive influence upon the manner of conversation. The participant also indicated academic advantages such as the accessibility of learning materials, teacher availability and the continuation of learning beyond class hours. Nevertheless, there are also challenges and problems. Firstly there is technical difficulty that not all students posses a smart phone. Secondly, teachers are apt to be annoyed by the flood of irrelevant and nonessential messages. Also, educational difficulties may arise, such as incompatibility of language between students and the students’ assumptions that their teacher should be available on a 24/7 bases.
Key words: WhatsApp, social network, instant message, communication platform.
TABLE OF CONTENT
CHAPTER ONE:
1.0 INTRODUCTION ……………………………………………………………………..1
1.1 Background of the study …………………………………………………………..1
1.3 Purpose of the Study ………………………………………………………………..3
CHAPTER TWO
2.1 Introduction …………………………………………………………………………...7
2.2 WhatsApp Goes to School ………………………………………………………….7
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ……………………………………………………10
3.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………...10
3.2 Population of the Study …………………………………………………………..10
3.3 Sample and Sampling Techniques ……………………………………………..10
3.4 Research Instrument ………………………………………………………………10
3.5 Validation of Instrument …………………………………………………………11
3.6 Method of Data Collection ……………………………………………………….11
3.7 Method of Data Analysis …………………………………………………………11
References ……………………………………………………………………………12
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
WhatsApp is an instant messaging application for smartphones that operates under a subscription business model. The proprietary, cross – platforms application uses the interest to send text messages, images, video, user location and audio messages.
In January 2015, WhatsApp was the most globally popular messaging application with more than 600 million active users, In April 2015,WhatsApp reached 800 million active users.
WhatsApp was founded in 2009 by Brian Acton and Jan Koum, both former employees of yahoo!
WhatsApp uses a customised version of the open standard of the Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP). Upon installation, it creates a user account using the phone number of the registering member as the username.
The internet holds a vast array of information; the educational resources delivered on web pages are in nearly every topic of study. Whatsapp being an internet oriented application plays a vital role in this course and the state of reliance of students on this application for information service delivery is alarming.
Social constructivist learning theory seeks to improve social interactions between students and to construct and share knowledge. For the purpose of this research, the focus will be on social utilities particularly WhatsApp and the rate at which students react towards this application for information service delivery.
Learning is the outcome of social interactions between students in collaborative learning activities. Activities can include sharing through mobile devices such as discussion forums (Chan, 2005), which can be used for knowledge construction sharing (Gillingham & Topper, 1999). The construction of knowledge is based on social interaction between online students (Vygotsky, 1978). Learning can also be influenced by multiple variables, including the cognitive and psychological state of the learner, teacher professionalism and nature and complexity of the pedagogical approach.
The key note here is that WhatsApp instant messaging is very easy to use, the majority of students use this mobile system for academic and other purposes. In this system students are quickly informed of every update and any message inserted by a member of the group or discussion forum. An easy to operate user interface is important in helping orientate the student’s attitude towards this technology.
In this era of information and communication technology, social media especially WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, BlackBerry Messenger etc.
And many others have revolutionised and redefined monopoly of news and information by mass media (Television, Radio, Magazine Industries). Social has in recent time turn the citizens not only as information consumers but also as information distributors.
Students log on to WhatsApp, BlackBerry Messenger, Twitter, Instagram and other social utilities regularly. As much as the use of these utilities by students helps the circulation of information, it also has its demining perks on other counts. Certain problems are faced with this development in such a way that numerous discussion forums are created by by individuals belonging to a particular forum of same category of students. For instance, the 300level students of L.I.S having a group created on WhatsApp and every member of this class is added to a forum, but at some point unlikely arguments emerge and some sets of become extremely abusive which may result to splitting members of the group by creating another forum and cause most people to exit the initial one.
Data subscriptions to keep this service running are quite expensive, some service providers make it affordable while some don’t. And in most cases the option of switching to a less expensive service provider cannot be considered simply for the reason of location, i.eThe choice of a service provider to purchase data from is determined by the location where this network provides wide network coverage (internet access speed).
This applications sometimes pose lack of concentration for students especially during an on – going lecture. Technology is good and has improved a lot in every developing country, society and for people from all works of life. But in certain ways there has not been proper orientation on how the use of these utilities can be managed. Seminars can be held for students in the university on how to time and use these social applications in other to prevent distraction from classroom learning, abuses online, misuse of the handle and the government can also meet the bodies of our service provider company so as to outline a solution towards the cost effect of data subscription in order for internet service to be made accessible and affordable for all at any given time.
This research will specifically help to;
The following research questions are postulated for the study:-
This work is important to researchers in the sense that it will enlighten on how technology has improved a lot and most importantly in this case, it has improved communication a great deal. Technology has changed the way people communicate, communication systems have evolved from pigeons carrying to emails and instant messages that travel long distance in seconds. The internet has enabled easy exchange of information of information over long distances.
This research is to broaden more knowledge on how learning has become more interesting and easier especially with the use of mobile devices, computers, Ipads etc.
The role of mobile devices, computers and the internet in education cannot be ignored. Computers enable better storage and presentation of information, thus making the process of teaching, learning, information gathering and dissemination easier and more effective. The use of social applications has brought about the more eagerness to learn, educational files are available everywhere online, uploaded at any point in time for students, researchers or information seekers to have easy access to them. Some are uploaded as PDF’s (portable document formats) or even as tutorial videos.
This has made information more accessible and provided for better ways of knowledge sharing, this study also emphasises on how technology has created flexibility in every way and all the information in the world is so widely available, Thanks to the worldwide web(www).
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