Abstract:
The Green Paper for Post-School Education and Training states that higher
education and training institutions are faced with the challenge of teaching
underprepared students. Vaal University of Technology (VUT) Ekurhuleni has
experienced an increase in the number of underprepared first year students from
basic education to higher education, similar to other higher education institutions
(HEIs) and training centres, and most of these students are familiar with messaging
service applications. The purpose of this research is to determine if messaging
service applications have a constructive role to play in supporting tertiary education.
A variety of journals, books and other online materials were reviewed to learn and
confirm the current information on messaging service applications and electronic
communication interaction in higher education. A mixed methods research
methodology has been adopted comprising of both qualitative and quantitative
research. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews as well as
questionnaires with structured questions to address the objectives of the study. A
total of 250 questionnaires were distributed to students and the sample (N=212)
resulted in a response rate of 84.8%. Interviews were conducted targeting students
doing a bridging course in Information Technology. In addition, data was collected
from one of the messaging service applications, Whatsapp, for one semester with
one class. For the analysis of the data, two theories—Social Presence Theory and
Context Awareness Theory—were adopted.
This research found that students who partook in the study displayed a positive
perception of using messaging service applications in an educational environment.
Furthermore, the textual interaction analysis indicates that students were able to
successfully interact and use messaging services as educational supporting tool
outside the classroom. From the findings a model has been developed which
demonstrates how student learning outside the formal classroom learning
environment can be supported through the use of messaging service applications.
The research contributes to a better understanding of using of messaging service
applications as an educational supporting tool in higher education. Messaging
service applications enable students to forget about gender and cultural differences;
it encourages them to work together as an online community.
This research furthermore provides a basis for HEIs and academic leaders to initiate
the discussion and consider the possibility of introducing messaging service
applications as educational supporting tool outside the classroom.
Description:
M.. Tech. (Information Technology, Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences), Vaal University of Technology)
