{"id":9879,"date":"2022-01-14T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2022-01-14T09:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/?p=9879"},"modified":"2023-11-08T13:33:08","modified_gmt":"2023-11-08T13:33:08","slug":"do-you-ever-wonder-what-goes-on-in-students-whatapp-groups","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/2022\/01\/do-you-ever-wonder-what-goes-on-in-students-whatapp-groups\/","title":{"rendered":"Do you ever wonder what goes on in students\u2019 WhatsApp groups?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u00a0By\u00a0Elisabetta Lando<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEverything has been stripped away from us \u2013 the social aspects of in-person learning, the discussions with mates outside the lecture halls, walking and talking after lectures.\u201d( Jisc Student digital experience insights survey 2020\/1)<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

This student comment, from the Jisc national Student digital experience survey, is typical of what students have been saying since the start of the pandemic. The need to build up online student communities<\/a> within universities, is something that has been much explored across the sector over the last two years. However, student themselves have always created support networks with each other on social media platforms, such as Whatsapp and Facebook, and with the pandemic that has obviously continued:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018As of February 2020, WhatsApp had two billion users around the world. When the COVID-19 lockdowns came into force in late March 2020, usage of WhatsApp around the world had grown by 40% \u2018 Is WHATSAPP an unsung hero in the CoVID 19 education crisis?<\/a> (accessed December 2021)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Yet working alongside some of the student digital advisers, I have been increasingly made aware of some issues. For example, WhatsApp is tied to mobile numbers so if students join they share personal data with groups of people they maybe haven\u2019t even met. Indeed in a City online Student debate (April 2021) on \u2018Cameras off or Cameras on\u2019<\/a> students mentioned concerns about these informal \u2018 Uni study groups\u2019. They wondered if they could be in any way supported by the university. However, by their very nature these groups can in no way be \u2018monitored\u2019 :<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018A WhatsApp<\/a> group can exist without anyone outside the group knowing of its existence, who its members are or what is being shared, while end-to-end encryption makes it immune to surveillance from third parties\u2019 What\u2019s wrong with Whatspp. Guardian 2021)<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

So that means that all sort of unknowable stuff is going on in these groups, mostly good for sure but some probably bad. Furthermore, some students, possibly because they are not part of a friendship group, are excluded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An obvious alternative then is for universities, or colleges, to actively encourage students to use their own supported platforms to set up safe and inclusive students only groups. At City, for example, it could be something like Teams<\/a> while other institutions have encouraged the use of  Discord<\/a>. However, maybe it is not the actual platform that is the point here. Should the focus be really on how can students be supported to work together online safely and effectively? According to Jisc, students themselves are very eager for  their university courses to have some  built in community time. This is in itself  an opportunity to raise awareness and good practice around online group interaction(1):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Quizzes, polls and time set aside for socialising before a class\u2019 (Listening to student voices. Jisc Student digital experience insights survey 2020\/1)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, students will probably always want to join groups that are \u2018off -grid\u2019 and not part of an institution. Therefore, supporting students to think about things like setting up a code of conduct, understanding what a group does (not the place to ask about assignment deadlines for example), developing good communicative skills and more should be part of their educational experience. So shining a light into what is happening in these social media spaces could be just one of the ways to build up meaningful and effective students communities that are so much needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do share your ideas and experiences around this in the comment box below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(1) Recordings of  session <\/a>exploring some of the different tools available  at City, UoL for community building for students. As well as some great ideas here on Making the Best use of Break out rooms<\/a> by Dr Stein Reimers (School of Arts and Social sciences)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

References:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.timeshighereducation.com\/campus\/collections\/creating-online-learning-communities<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.jisc.ac.uk\/reports\/student-digital-experience-insights-survey-2020-21-uk-higher-education-findings<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\u00a0By\u00a0Elisabetta Lando \u201cEverything has been stripped away from us \u2013 the social aspects of in-person learning, the discussions with mates outside the lecture halls, walking and talking after lectures.\u201d( Jisc Student digital experience insights survey 2020\/1) This student comment, from the Jisc national Student digital experience survey, is typical of what students have been saying since […]","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9881,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1431],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9879","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alsig"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2022\/01\/pexels-anton-46924.jpg?fit=640%2C426&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7426,"url":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/2018\/09\/altc-2018-to-student-data-and-beyond\/","url_meta":{"origin":9879,"position":0},"title":"ALTC 2018: to student data, and beyond!","author":"rchallen","date":"10 September 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"I\u2019m approaching this year\u2019s ALTC with even more anticipation that usual - partly it\u2019s because we are celebrating ALT\u2019s 25 years. This is a highlight for all of us at Jisc, because our two organisations have always worked closely together and we recognise the value that ALT brings to the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "ALT25"","block_context":{"text":"ALT25","link":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/category\/alt25\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2018\/09\/Firework.jpg?fit=883%2C591&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2018\/09\/Firework.jpg?fit=883%2C591&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2018\/09\/Firework.jpg?fit=883%2C591&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2018\/09\/Firework.jpg?fit=883%2C591&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7015,"url":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/2021\/03\/webinar-24th-march-2021-how-are-students-experiencing-learning-online-what-the-data-from-our-digital-experience-insights-2020-1-student-surveys-is-telling-us\/","url_meta":{"origin":9879,"position":1},"title":"Webinar 24th March 2021: How are students experiencing learning online? What the data from our digital experience insights 2020-1 student surveys is telling us","author":"Christina Vines","date":"24 March 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Notes from ELESIG 2021 Webinar Series: second webinar on Wednesday March 24th 2021, 1pm \u2013 2pm with presenters: Sarah Knight, Head of data and digital capability, Jisc Ruth Drysdale, Senior consultant, data and digital capability, Jisc Highlights With the continued pandemic, and the requirement of students in further and higher\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "ELESIG"","block_context":{"text":"ELESIG","link":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/category\/elesig\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":5807,"url":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/2016\/07\/mind-the-gap-exploring-institutional-practices-in-the-post-digital-age\/","url_meta":{"origin":9879,"position":2},"title":"Mind the Gap: Exploring Institutional Practices in the Post-Digital Age.","author":"rowellc","date":"20 July 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Photo by @emmaprocterlegg The 15th Annual Academic Practice and Technology (APT) conference was held at the beautiful Greenwich University Maritime Campus on Tuesday 5th July. Head of Educational Development Simon Walker welcomed presenters and delegates and set out the theme of the day\u2019s discussions \u2013 the gaps that exist within\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Conference reviews"","block_context":{"text":"Conference reviews","link":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/category\/reviews\/conference-reviews\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2016\/07\/Eric.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2016\/07\/Eric.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2016\/07\/Eric.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2016\/07\/Eric.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2016\/07\/Eric.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4017,"url":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/2014\/07\/webinar-on-jiscs-digital-student-project\/","url_meta":{"origin":9879,"position":3},"title":"Webinar on JISC’s Digital Student Project","author":"ALT","date":"3 July 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"An ALT webinar on the potentially foolish date of 1st April 2014 invited participants to consider findings from the JISC Digital Student Project. The study explored students\u2019 expectations and experiences of their digital learning environment. It reviewed existing research including survey evidence from institutions, as well as conducting original interviews\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Featured"","block_context":{"text":"Featured","link":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/category\/featured\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2013\/06\/Learners.jpg?fit=514%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":12801,"url":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/2025\/01\/building-digital-confidence-a-student-programme-for-skill-development-in-the-digital-age\/","url_meta":{"origin":9879,"position":4},"title":"Building digital confidence: a student programme for skill development in the digital age","author":"ALT","date":"31 January 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The Context In this post, we\u2019re going to introduce you to a project that the Digital Learning team at the University of Sunderland in London delivered to improve our student\u2019s digital skills, both for study and employment. Like many other universities, students at University of Sunderland in London often lack\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Digital literacy"","block_context":{"text":"Digital literacy","link":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/category\/digital-literacy\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Lightbulbs","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2025\/01\/Lightbulbs.png?fit=919%2C250&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2025\/01\/Lightbulbs.png?fit=919%2C250&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2025\/01\/Lightbulbs.png?fit=919%2C250&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2025\/01\/Lightbulbs.png?fit=919%2C250&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10265,"url":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/2022\/05\/listening-to-alumni-reflections-on-a-recent-elesig-event\/","url_meta":{"origin":9879,"position":5},"title":"Listening to Alumni: Reflections on a recent ELESIG event","author":"Christina Vines","date":"19 May 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Barrie Edmonds from the University of Nottingham presented \u201cUsing data to shape strategic thinking and improve the online learning experience\u201d discussing the ongoing work on digital capabilities at the institution. Through carefully constructed slides Barrie took us through the learning journey of this project, its aim, planning and delivery. The\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "ELESIG"","block_context":{"text":"ELESIG","link":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/category\/elesig\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"altc Blog Cover - ELESIG","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2022\/05\/altc-Blog-Cover-ELESIG.png?fit=1200%2C373&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2022\/05\/altc-Blog-Cover-ELESIG.png?fit=1200%2C373&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2022\/05\/altc-Blog-Cover-ELESIG.png?fit=1200%2C373&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2022\/05\/altc-Blog-Cover-ELESIG.png?fit=1200%2C373&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1112\/2022\/05\/altc-Blog-Cover-ELESIG.png?fit=1200%2C373&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6CxU9-2zl","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9879","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9879"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9879\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11682,"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9879\/revisions\/11682"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9881"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9879"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9879"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9879"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}