ERIC Number: EJ901076
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010-Nov
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0268-0513
EISSN: N/A
Exploring the Use of MXit: A Cell-Phone Social Network to Facilitate Learning in Distance Education
Makoe, Mpine
Open Learning, v25 n3 p251-257 Nov 2010
The aim of this paper is to investigate the pedagogical suitability of using cell phones to enhance learning through social interaction in distance education. Social interaction was used as a conceptual framework to explore the potential for using "MXit"--a cell-phone instant messaging system--to support and enhance learning for distance education students. In exploring how MXit could be used to facilitate social interaction, a pilot study was conducted with University of South Africa's students to determine how communities of learning are established. The findings suggest that MXit has the potential to be used to support collaborative learning amongst distance learners. Using MXit is even more appropriate in this context because, in most black South African cultures, collaborative learning is a strong factor determining values and social interaction.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Interpersonal Relationship, Interaction, College Students, Program Descriptions, Program Effectiveness, Pilot Projects, Instructional Effectiveness, Use Studies, Educational Technology, Handheld Devices, Distance Education, Computer Assisted Instruction, Technology Integration, African Culture, Synchronous Communication, Computer Mediated Communication, Social Networks, Computer Software, Cooperative Learning, Discourse Analysis
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: South Africa
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A