Remote Teaching and Learning via WhatsApp: A Jamaican
Perspective
The Caribbean is known for its creative ways of addressing a crisis. Therefore, it
is not at all surprising that their response to the COVID-19 pandemic was
proactive. After all, most Caribbean countries have developed standard
procedures to ensure that they are prepared for a significant disaster.
Notwithstanding, COVID-19 placed educators in the Caribbean, particularly in
Jamaica, in a unique position to find a pathway to continue teaching.
In Jamaica,
many children do not have the luxury of internet access, and in many cases
where they do have access, the internet connection is not reliable. This
challenge has led to the use of WhatsApp as a communication and teaching tool.
WhatsApp uses a cellular or Wi-Fi connection to enable users to use messaging
or voice calling. The app is unique in that it also allows for file sharing,
taking photos, and recording videos. Users of the app can also create specific
groups. One major drawback of this app is that users without access to Wi-Fi are
required to purchase data for the app to be operational. Therefore, the
government, policymakers, and telecommunication companies should discuss ways
to ensure that the cost factor for data will not be an obstacle for students.
Most
Jamaicans (including young children) were users of this app before the COVID-19
pandemic. The primary purpose of using this app was to communicate with friends
and relatives. Today, WhatsApp is being used to educate children across
Jamaica. Teachers are now using WhatsApp to post-work, provide instructional
videos via YouTube or other sources, give students feedback for their completed
work, and respond to students' questions using the messaging feature of the
app. Teachers also use WhatsApp to host one-on-one sessions with students who
need differentiated instructions. Parental involvement is a critical element in
the success of the use of WhatsApp. Parents are required to ensure that their
children complete the assigned work.
Overall,
while WhatsApp is not the ideal teaching and learning environment for students
and teachers, it provides a low-cost platform for the continuation of
children's education in times of crisis.
Below are ten top tips to consider when using WhatsApp for remote
learning.
WhatsApp is an unique source of teaching and learning. Study through digital platforms have become a best option in Covid-19. Since the widespread transmission of Covid-19 was recorded, many schools and universities worldwide transferred their classes to online platforms. Some tutors are facing difficulties in online teaching, there are several tips that you can apply to make it better for you and your student. Tutoring sessions can be hard for your students to follow, especially if they do not have access to a stable internet. Here are tips for better online teaching that teachers can follow for their online teaching classes.
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