A presentation about the affordances of using WhatsApp for language learning.

1. WhatsApp? An educational treasure hunt
with mobile phones
Department of English and Languages
PILL ARG
Coventry University
30th April, 2014
Billy Brick and Tiziana Cervi-Wilson
lsx133@coventry.ac.uk and lsx091@coventry.ac.uk
Coventry University

2.  Previous research
 Digital literacy, Mobile Language
Learning (MALL) and how mobile
messaging apps fit in
 The project
 Findings
 Future Directions
Introduction
01/05/20142

3. 01/05/20143
Guardian (2014)
“The messaging apps
are next-generation,
mobile-native
communications
services, social
networks and digital
platforms.”
“Facebook's dramatic purchase
of WhatsApp is just the latest
move in a much larger battle
between the west and Asia for
the future of social networking,
mobile communications and tech
sector dominance.”
“They offer smartphone owners free instant messaging, via
Wi-Fi or mobile data, as an alternative to paid-for SMS
messaging.
To this highly attractive consumer proposition, the
messaging companies are adding further communications
features (such as Skype-like VOIP and video calls), social
networking (profiles and timelines), entertainment (games
and music), and online-to-offline services, whereby users
can access their bank account, book a taxi or buy cinema
tickets.”

4. 01/05/20144JISC (2014)

5. 01/05/20147

7.  Creating the activity (repurposing existing
activity)
 Briefing with students (phones, ethics,
willingness, BYOD)
 Setting up groups on WhatsApp (must have app
on phone)
 Data collected from 2 groups via questionnaires
and focus groups.
The Pilot Projects (1)
01/05/20149

8.  On the day (weather, graduation ceremony,
road works)
 Told students they could text or phone us if
they got stuck
 Feedback (Google maps) – Serendipitous!
Discussion about directions, clarifying
contentious issues
The Pilot Project (2)
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9. Positives
01/05/201411
Overwhelming
positive response
‘Lots of fun’
‘Applied use
of language’
‘Made me want to
be better at Italian’

10. Positives (2)
01/05/201412
‘Excellent
practise at
listening,
writing and
speaking’ ‘Preferable to
using Moodle due
to immediacy and
convenience’
‘Using Italian in a
‘real life’
situation’
‘Made me more
aware of the
fluidity required
when responding
to questions’

11.  Background noise
 Sequence of instructions
 Weather!
Negatives
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12.  Anonymity of number – has to ask the Faculty
to get us a phone.
 SD memory Card
 Wireless connection. Poor signal.
 GPS and installation
 Students did not need technology support
and didn’t mention data charges
Technical Issues
01/05/201414

13.  Record sound files directly rather than via
Dropbox
 Timed?
 Incorporate short videos
 Students create own treasure hunts/tasks
Improvements
01/05/201415

14.  Designing Weekly tasks for IWLP students to
reinforce classroom learning. (Italian, German,
Spanish)
 Experiment with short student videos (video selfies)
 Supporting CU students during year abroad.
Future Directions
01/05/201416

15. 01/05/201417
JISC (2011)

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