Skip to main content
Log in

An adapted pedagogical framework in utilizing WhatsApp for learning purpose

  • Published:
Education and Information Technologies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

WhatsApp is one of the most popular and widely used communication platforms today. However, from an application in a few subject areas, this mobile application (app) can be distractive and cause users to lose their focus as it attracts and promotes social interaction among learning communities. In this study, firstly, qualitative research approach which employ one group post-test design by conducting an observation method for the main experiment was carried out to gain a deeper understanding of students’ responses on WhatsApp. Next, a Community of Inquiry (COI) framework was selected and applied. Then, an adapted pedagogical COI framework in utilising WhatsApp for learning purposes was validated by four experts. The findings showed that the framework positively supports the use of WhatsApp for learning purposes. The research has provided in-depth understanding of the usability of WhatsApp for learning purposes by improving teaching strategies and its application within the COI framework that is applicable for other types of social networks.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Al-Omary, A., El-Medany, W. M., & Isa, K. J. E. (2015). The impact of SNS in higher education: A case study of using WhatsApp in the University of Bahrain. In e-Learning (econf), 2015 Fifth International Conference on (pp. 296–300). IEEE.

  • Alt, D. (2017). College students’ perceived learning environment and their social media engagement in activities unrelated to class work. Instructional Science, 45(5), 623–643. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11251-017-9418-0.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Altaany, F. (2015). Usage whatsapp application for e-learning and its impact on academic performance in Irbid national university in Jordan, 10, 39875–39879.

  • Armellini, A., & De Stefani, M. (2016). Social presence in the 21st century: An adjustment to the Community of Inquiry framework. British Journal of Educational Technology, 47(6), 1202–1216. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.12302.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barhoumi, C. (2015). The effectiveness of WhatsApp Mobile learning activities guided by activity theory on students’ knowledge management. Contemporary Educational Technology, 6(3), 221–238.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • El Bialy, S., & Ayoub, A. R. (2017). The trends of use of social media by medical students. Education in Medicine Journal, 9(1), 59–68. https://doi.org/10.21315/eimj2017.9.1.6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, D. T., & Stanley, J. C. (1966). Experimental and quasi-experimental designs for research. The Practitioner, 193, 155–164. https://doi.org/10.1093/obo/9780195389678-0053.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cloquell-Ballester, V.-A., Cloquell-Ballester, V.-A., Monterde-Dı’az, R., & Santamarina-Siurana, M.-C. (2006). Indicators validation for the improvement of environmental and social impact quantitative assessment. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 26(1), 79–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2005.06.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dar, Q. A., Ahmad, F., Ramzan, M., Khan, S. H., Ramzan, K., Ahmed, W., & Kamal, Z. (2017). Use of social media tool “Whatsapp” in medical education. Annals of King Edward Medical University, 23(1), 39–42. https://doi.org/10.21649/akemu.v23i1.1497.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deibert, R. A. T. (2015). Student perceptions of blended mode learning: Supplementing asynchronous online learning with synchronous tools. NORTHCENTRAL UNIVERSITY.

  • Elo, S., & Kyngas, H. (2007). The qualitative content analysis process. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 62(1), 107–115. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2007.04569.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garrison, D. R., Anderson, T., & Archer, W. (1999). Critical inquiry in a text-based environment: Computer conferencing in higher education. The Internet and Higher Education, 2(2), 87–105.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Graneheim, U. H., & Lundman, B. (2004). Qualitative content analysis in nursing research: Concepts, procedures and measures to achieve trustworthiness. Nurse Education Today, 24(2), 105–112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2003.10.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaafar, A. (2017). The Impact of Using Social Media And Internet on Academic Performance : Case Study Bahrain Universities, 4(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.4108/eai.28-6-2017.152748.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keles, E. (2018). Use of Facebook for the community services practices course: Community of inquiry as a theoretical framework. Computers and Education, 116, 203–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2017.09.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khatoon, B., Hill, K., & Walmsley, A. D. (2015). Instant messaging in dental education. Journal of Dental Education, 79(12), 1471–1478. https://doi.org/10.5958/2393-8005.2016.00013.9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, S., & Kim, M. (2013). Educational implication of reflection activities using SNS in cooperative learning. 13th International Educational Technology Conference Educational, 103, 340–347. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.10.342.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lim, J., & Richardson, J. C. (2016). Exploring the effects of students ’ social networking experience on social presence and perceptions of using SNSs for educational purposes. Internet and Higher Education, 29, 31–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKerlich, R., Riis, M., Anderson, T., & Eastman, B. (2011). Student perceptions of teaching presence, social presence, and cognitive presence in a virtual world. Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 7(3), 324.

    Google Scholar 

  • Najafi, H., & Tridane, A. (2015). Improving instructor-student communication using Whatsapp: A pilot study. In Developments of E-Systems Engineering (DeSE), 2015 International Conference on (pp. 171–175). IEEE.

  • Nitza, D., & Roman, Y. (2016). WhatsApp messaging: Achievements and success in academia. International Journal of Higher Education, 5(4), 255.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oztok, M., Zingaro, D., Brett, C., & Hewitt, J. (2013). Exploring asynchronous and synchronous tool use in online courses. Computers and Education, 60(1), 87–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2012.08.007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Privitera, G. J., & Ahlgrim-Delzell, L. (2019). Quasi-experimental and single-case experimental designs. Research Methods for Education, 333–370. Retrieved from https://us.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/upm-binaries/89876_Chapter_13_Quasi_Experimental_and_Single_Case_Designs.pdf

  • Rambe, P. (2017). Spaces for interactive engagement or technology for differential academic participation? Google groups for collaborative learning at a south African University. Journal of Computing in Higher Education, 29(2), 353–387. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12528-017-9141-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rap, S., & Blonder, R. (2017). Thou shall not try to speak in the Facebook language : Students ’ perspectives regarding using Facebook for chemistry learning. Computers & Education, 114, 69–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rasiah, R. R. V. (2014). Using social Media in a Team-Based Learning Environment. Transformative Higher Education Teaching and Learning, 123, 369–379. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.01.1435.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, P., & Priest, H. (2006). Reliability and validity in research. Nursing Standar, 20(44), 41–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, L., Behi, O., Corcoran, A., Cowley, V., Cullinane, J., Martin, I., & Tomkinson, D. (2015). Evaluation of whatsapp for promoting social presence in a first year undergraduate radiography problem-based learning group. Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, 46(3), 280–286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmir.2015.06.007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schneider, S. L. (2013). Experimental Design in The Behavioral and Social Sciences. (S. L. Schneider, Ed.). Ltd, sage publication.

  • Scott, K. S., Sorokti, K. H., & Merrell, J. D. (2016a). Learning “beyond the classroom” within an enterprise social network system. The Internet and Higher Education, 29, 75–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iheduc.2015.12.005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scott, K. S., Sorokti, K. H., & Merrell, J. D. (2016b). Learning “beyond the classroom” within an enterprise social network system. The Internet and Higher Education, 29(supplement C), 75–90. 10.1016/j.iheduc.2015.12.005.

  • Shen, J., Brdiczka, O., & Liu, J. (2015). A study of Facebook behavior : What does it tell about your neuroticism and extraversion ? Computers in Human Behavior, 45, 32–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smit, I. (2015). WhatsApp with learning preferences? In Proceedings - Frontiers in Education Conference, FIE (Vol. 2014). https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE.2015.7344366.

  • Tezer, M., Taşpolat, A., Sami, K., & Fatih, S. (2017). The impact of using social media on academic achievement and attitudes of prospective. International Journal of Cognitive Research in Science, Engineering and Education, 5(2), 75–81. https://doi.org/10.5937/ijcrsee1702075T.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsovaltzi, D., Judele, R., Puhl, T., & Weinberger, A. (2015). Scripts , individual preparation and group awareness support in the service of learning in Facebook : How does CSCL compare to social networking sites. Computers in Human Behavior, 53, 577–592.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, J., Jackson, L. A., Wang, H., & Gaskin, J. (2015). Predicting Social Networking Site ( SNS ) use : Personality , attitudes , motivation and Internet self-efficacy. Personality and Individual Differences, 80, 119–124.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Warner, A. G. (2016). Developing a Community of Inquiry in a face-to-face class: How an online learning framework can enrich traditional classroom practice. Journal of Management Education, 40(4), 432–452. https://doi.org/10.1177/1052562916629515.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zulkanain, N. A., Miskon, S., Syed Abdullah, N., Mat Ali, N., & Bahari, M. (2019). Social network sites (SNS) utilization in learning landscape – Systematic literature review. In 3rd International Conference of Reliable Information and Communication Technology (IRICT 2018) (pp. 963–972). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99007-1_89.

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) and the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) for the Research University Grant Scheme (GUP) (Vote number: I6H76) that had supported this research.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nani Amalina Zulkanain.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zulkanain, N.A., Miskon, S. & Syed Abdullah, N. An adapted pedagogical framework in utilizing WhatsApp for learning purpose. Educ Inf Technol 25, 2811–2822 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-019-10096-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-019-10096-0

Keywords

Navigation