WhatsApp Support for School Experience e-Portfolio Development: A Conversational Approach

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34190/ecel.23.1.3078

Keywords:

WhatsApp, School Experience, e-Portfolio, conversational framework, six ways of learning

Abstract

This paper reflects on the different ways of learning fostered by Whatsapp in the development of school experience e-Portfolios.  Student teachers in one institution went through their school experience and practice teaching with an expectation to submit portfolios in an electronic format as evidence of their engagement with the theory and practice of teaching. WhatsApp interactions between student teachers, the school experience co-ordinator, and the practitioners in the Academic Development Centre, supporting the development of e-Portfolios, had to be relied on during the process of developing e-Portfolios. Informed by Laurillard's conversational framework on the six ways of learning, this study analysed the possibilities of WhatsApp support in the development of e-Portfolios by student teachers in one university. First and fourth-year education students on school experience provided qualitative data on the ways of learning that are best and least served by WhatsApp. Their accounts and evaluations of their interactions and support through WhatsApp were expressed narratively. Meaning units were extracted through content analysis and allotted to themes and categories suggested by the conversational framework. This study reports on the usefulness of the framework to evaluate WhatsApp support as well as the ways of learning that are most and least served by WhatsApp support on the development of e-Portfolios of evidence on practice teaching. Recommendations on the efficacious use of WhatsApp support for e-Portfolio development, the practices that would foster the realisation of all the six ways of learning, and enhancement of e-Portfolio development for the school experience are furnished. Suggestions are also proffered on further research about purposive use of WhatsApp and the conversational framework on e-Portfolio development.

Author Biographies

Bongo Mqukuse

Bongo Mqukuse is a Consultant in the Teaching and Learning Centre at the University of Fort Hare. In the
Teaching and Learning Centre she heads up the Portfolio Development Team which is part of both staff and
student development. She is also in the facilitation team where she is in charge of Tutor training in the institution as well as First Year Experience.

Vuyisile Nkonki

Vuyisile Nkonki is an Associate Professor in Education and currently the Director of the Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC) at the University of Fort Hare. He is also the Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA).

Nobulali Tsipa-Booi

Nobulali Tsipa-Booi is a Consultant within the Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC) at the University of Fort Hare, focusing on integrating technology to enhance teaching and learning. With a Master of Administration in Public Administration, Nobulali brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. Her extensive experience spans advising academics and students on the use of technology and optimising learning outcomes. Certified in domains including the Application of Quality Matters Rubric (APPQMR), Designing for Digital Teaching and Learning, and Teaching with Technologies, Nobulali's diverse skill set empowers her to drive curriculum design initiatives that leverage the integration of technologies in teaching and learning. As a Fellow of the Advanced Higher Education program in the United Kingdom, she is committed to academic excellence and innovation.

 

Downloads

Published

2024-10-23