This paper reports on a study that integrated two instant
messaging applications (Moya Messenger App and WhatsApp) and a
myUnisa’s online discussion forum (ODF), and utilised them as tools
to support student learning at an open and distance e‑learning
university in South Africa. The participants in this study were 41
undergraduate education students enrolled for an undergraduate
English Studies module. Employing a case study research design, the
study utilised voluntary sampling to select its participants, and
set out to answer three research questions. Data were collected
through the three afore‑mentioned tools. To this effect, the study
made the following observations. First, both the instructor and
students were able to engage in asynchronous and synchronous
scaffolding using Moya Messenger App. This included engaging in
features of scaffolding such as orientation, coaching, conceptual
scaffolding and meta‑cognitive scaffolding, largely by the
instructor. Second, the instructor used Moya Messener App to engage
in presence teaching, while students utilised it to engage in
presence learning. Third, students utilised WhatsApp to produce
short synchronous formal essays based on a compare and contrast
essay writing activity. Fourth and last, students used myUnisa’s ODF
to produce meta‑content reflective writing about the
module.