What Is WhatsApp for? Developing Transmedia Skills and Informal Learning Strategies Through the Use of WhatsApp—A Case Study With Teenagers From Spain

Abstract

Smartphones and WhatsApp are, respectively, the medium and application that Spanish teenagers most want. However, research into the use of WhatsApp is still quantitatively and qualitatively limited. In addition, little research has been carried out regarding its impact on the development of transmedia skills and informal learning strategies outside the classroom. This article aims to expand the knowledge on teenagers’ motivations and their development of transmedia skills and informal learning strategies in relation to their use of WhatsApp. Specifically, a qualitative analysis of data gathered from workshops, interviews, and media diaries is applied as part of a case study methodology involving teenagers from 10 schools located in five different Spanish regions. The results reveal the new WhatsApp uses teenagers are applying in their daily lives as well as the skills and strategies they are developing through said uses in the context of interpersonal and group (WhatsApp groups) interactions: on one hand, production, social, content, and individual management skills, and on the other hand, learning by doing, teaching, and evaluating strategies.

The Effectivity of Online Learning in Exploring Mathematical Ability of Elementary Students Assisted Whatsapp Group Application

“…It because there will be many misunderstandings in conveying material relating to story-based questions (exploration) and it can be resolved by communication occurs smoothly. The use of the WhatsApp group application is also able to improve interpersonal skills between students (Sánchez & Pico, 2020) When students have difficulty solving questions in the form of stories question (exploration), the teacher can provide appropriate direction in the form of sample questions, case examples or directions in the stages of solving these questions.…”

The Effects of WhatsApp and Telegram on Student Engagement: An Analysis from the Mixed-Methods Approach

“…ere are several theoretical studies to demonstrate the potential of WhatsApp in education, mainly through group chat, collaborative activities, calls, and video calls [11]. Empirical studies allow asserting that its educational use allowed improving digital skills and engagement in students [11][12][13].…”

Effects of personality disorders and attitudes towards social networking services: evidence from family business successors in the Arab world

“…Furthermore, other types of disorders are found in some studies. For example, Costa-Sánchez and Guerrero-Pico (2020), Longstreet and Brooks (2017) and Sha et al (2019) found clear causal associations between life satisfaction and SNS addiction (e.g. WhatsApp) and Internet addiction.…”

“…Researchers in psychology and other fields sound alarm bells on the rising issues that surround the problematic use of the Internet (PIU) and Internet addiction (IAD) (Chen, 2020; Costa-Sánchez and Guerrero-Pico, 2020; Anderson et al , 2017; Cheever et al , 2018; Griffiths et al , 1999; Laconi et al , 2017; Longstreet and Brooks, 2017; Longstreet et al , 2018; Tao et al , 2010; Young, 2004; Zhang et al , 2008; Zhou et al , 2018). This is not a phenomenon that only clinical scholars pay attention to but also social and behavioural scientists believe that such problems indeed exist at dramatic levels due to the advancements in technology in recent years (Chou et al , 2005).…”

“…However, none of published works in well-respected journals investigate the loneliness and shyness impacts on WhatsApp. According to Costa-Sánchez and Guerrero-Pico (2020), “researchers into the use of WhatsApp are still quantitatively and qualitatively limited. In addition, little research has been carried out regarding its impact on the development of transmedia skills…”.…”