Not a day goes by where I don't send at least one message using WhatsApp to a group of colleagues, book club members, family or friends. Whatsapp is a messaging app that allows you to communicate to a pre-set group of people (up to 256 people in a group) in one place rather than using regular group texting on your smart phone. You can share messages, videos and pictures with these different groups using customized notifications; it also gives you the ability to mute the conversation when you just don't care to be bothered only to go back later and catch up to the conversation when you are able.
Whatsapp is a great tool for educators to connect with all audiences including their peers, students and the school community. This real time app allows educators to be accessible at all times of the day for their students as many of us carry our phones with us nearly everywhere we go. This free unlimited messaging app can be used cross-platform over WiFi - no data plan needed. In the event you do not have access to your smartphone, the desktop version of Whatsapp may be downloaded for use on a personal computer, too.
How Whatsapp can be used by educators for three different audiences:
How Whatsapp can be used by educators for three different audiences:
Use with Peers
1. Share web resources and links
2. Send pictures of exemplary student work
3. Develop a best practices forum to share ideas on any topic
Use with Students
1. Answer questions from students regarding assignments outside of school hours
2. Share highlights from that day's class with absent students
3. Send graphics, infographics and web & YouTube links students
4. Develop and send audio and video lessons to students
5. Use to assist English Language Learners with mastery
6. Set up student study groups (students can do this themselves, as well)
4. Develop and send audio and video lessons to students
5. Use to assist English Language Learners with mastery
6. Set up student study groups (students can do this themselves, as well)
Use with Parents
1. Share helpful hints of success for their students
2. Send constructive feedback to parents as a whole group or individually
3. Communicate with parents one-on-one via text without giving out your personal number
Disadvantages of Whatsapp
Out of all the features of Whatsapp, I like the fact that it promotes dialogue while meeting the kids where they already are... on their phones! Students are given the opportunity to share ideas, thoughts, and arguments in written form while "talking" over the phone. For example, a teacher can pose a question for a debate to a class and require students to respond at least twice during the Whatsapp discussion. Teachers are able to chime in, check & correct grammar, give praise and provide real time feedback.
Again, I use this means of communication daily. I truly enjoy the ease of being able to respond with my fingertips on just about any topic. Like many of my students, Whatsapp has encouraged (or forced) me to conversations that I otherwise might not have had face to face. Quite frequently, I use Whatsapp to exchange sermons with fellow church members. I enjoy being a part of the dialogue that ensues after all in the group have viewed the sermon. I am able to go back and review our conversations easily in one space and directly link to scriptures that are posted.
References
Graham, E. (n.d.). Using Smartphones in the Classroom. Retrieved September 21, 2016, from http://www.nea.org/tools/56274.htm
Disadvantages of Whatsapp
- You must have access to internet to send and receive messages for free and the messages are also not sent to the phone inbox.
- You need to pay $0.99 for renewal after every year.
- You cannot call using this app to your friends for free.
- Your profile picture is visible to every person having your contact number and using this app, whether known by you or not.
Out of all the features of Whatsapp, I like the fact that it promotes dialogue while meeting the kids where they already are... on their phones! Students are given the opportunity to share ideas, thoughts, and arguments in written form while "talking" over the phone. For example, a teacher can pose a question for a debate to a class and require students to respond at least twice during the Whatsapp discussion. Teachers are able to chime in, check & correct grammar, give praise and provide real time feedback. Again, I use this means of communication daily. I truly enjoy the ease of being able to respond with my fingertips on just about any topic. Like many of my students, Whatsapp has encouraged (or forced) me to conversations that I otherwise might not have had face to face. Quite frequently, I use Whatsapp to exchange sermons with fellow church members. I enjoy being a part of the dialogue that ensues after all in the group have viewed the sermon. I am able to go back and review our conversations easily in one space and directly link to scriptures that are posted.
References
Graham, E. (n.d.). Using Smartphones in the Classroom. Retrieved September 21, 2016, from http://www.nea.org/tools/56274.htm
