“WhatsApp” as a learner support tool for distance education: implications for policy and practice at university of Zambia.
Date
2018-11-14
Authors
Ndhlovu, Daniel
Simui, Francis
Mwewa, Godfrey
Chota, Amos
Kakana, Fabian
Mundende, Kasonde
Thompson, Lukali
Mwanza, Peggy
Namangala, Boniface
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Zambia ICT Journal
Abstract
- One of the norms of distance education is that
learners are the drivers of their learning and teachers merely
facilitate the learning process. To this effect, learners are expected
to be fully engaged in their studies throughout for them to perform
well in their studies. However, the ‘distance’ factor inherent in
distance education has been identified as one of the major
challenges for learners studying in this mode. The geographical
isolation significantly detracts from the need for social interactions
that are usually afforded by face-to-face situations. Consequently,
the void leads to isolation, confusion, stress and ultimately
contributing to high failure rate and drop-outs from the academic
programmes. In this study, we document the use of “WhatsApp”
as a tool for learner support among postgraduate students on the
distance learning mode within the University of Zambia. The
study, through “WhatsApp”, follows students where they are
found and learns from them without disrupting their privacy and
culture to inform Open Distance Learning policy and practice. It
is now clear that the University should be proactive to encourage
the creation of self-generated social networks to mitigate vexing
emergent issues students face on the distance learning mode.
Description
Keywords
WhatsApp. , Social media. , Learner support. , Distance education. , Ethnographic. , University of Zambia.