WhatsApp Goes to School:Mobile Instant Messaging between Teachers and students

This article by Dan Bouhnik and Mor Deshen , Journal of Information Technology Education :Research 2014;13:217-231 has been most useful in my project of using WhatsApp as a learning tool in teaching Maxillofacial Trauma.
The article describes the use of WhatsApp in teaching and learning.It is shown to be a useful tool in communicating with students. Most importantly it encourages a  student  - centered approach to learning as opposed to the traditional teacher-centered  lecture type learning.It is a learning platform that encourages communication with students,allows dialogue and sharing of information among students,also nurtures a social atmosphere? This is an affordable cheap technology which is sustainable in our environment and relatively protected from power outages!the high infiltration of Smartphones and WhatsApp enabled phone are available to most students
I am going to be using it essentially as a revision course based on a series of lectures on Maxillofacial trauma with an MCQ as an assessment method.The advantage of WhatsApp being that it can be used anytime and anywhere.
However the drawbacks mainly arise from overuse by students for everyday social messaging.However, by creating a special chat group this can be minimized.Of course there is always the danger of WhatsAppitis !,
Transmission of data and graphics has to be such that they are anonymised  and suitable for public viewing .Like all public communications respect for other uses is encouraged at all times

Home at last

Finally  I am on board!! i guess my reflection starts with the realisation  how taxing technology can be . I had difficulty in joining the group throughout  the A and D stages of  "addie". Now3 I  join at the last D ! Reading the posting by LK on Thursday I realise that implenting an e-learning programme one needs to be knowledgeable of the various "e" communications available! This clearly exposes my computer literacy. I am determined to catch up ............very late BUT it can be done. Any suggestions? We are in the process of encouraging e-learning in the College and this journey is putting me in a good position to push forward this exercise. I am on board and certainly will get there

where is everbody

still left to me myself and I??

hi

still wondering in the electronic jungle!!

hi

hoping my solitary journey is over now

hi

i hope this time i have joined the group

good

still out of circulation