WhatsApp supported language teacher development: A case study in the Zataari refugee camp

Resource type
Journal Article
Authors/contributors
Title
WhatsApp supported language teacher development: A case study in the Zataari refugee camp
Abstract
This paper explores the possibilities and challenges of using the social media tool WhatsApp to support language teacher development in the Zataari refugee camp in Jordan. It takes a sociocultural perspective on teacher development where WhatsApp is a mediating tool in the broader sociocultural landscape. A thematic analysis of the postings and exchanges from the WhatsApp group revealed three main uses of the WhatsApp chat: for interpersonal interactions, for professional development, and for organisational purposes. The analysis suggests the WhatsApp group contributed to the teachers’ English language knowledge, provided a platform for them to share and discuss issues related to the challenges of their particular context, enabled them to contribute to the development of some teaching materials and begin to address some of the issues they had in a meaningful way. It also raises issues of participation, access, equity and sustainability. We conclude by suggesting there is good potential for the use of social media tools such as WhatsApp for teacher development in challenging contexts, despite the contextual constraints observed and described. While this specific case involves language teachers, the general findings can potentially be applied to any teacher education or training context where access to training or education might be curtailed for a number of reasons, including the most recent changes enforced by the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Publication
Education and Information Technologies
Volume
25
Issue
6
Pages
5731-5751
Date
2020-11-01
Journal Abbr
Educ Inf Technol
Language
en
ISSN
1573-7608
Short Title
WhatsApp supported language teacher development
Accessed
26/12/2022, 19:52
Library Catalogue
Springer Link
Citation
Motteram, G., Dawson, S., & Al-Masri, N. (2020). WhatsApp supported language teacher development: A case study in the Zataari refugee camp. Education and Information Technologies, 25(6), 5731–5751. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-020-10233-0