Abstract:
The purpose of the study was to seek the views of PGDE distance students of the Techiman Study Centre on the impact of the Telegram App on student learning. The study adopted the sequential explanatory mixed method design strategy, which is characterized by the collection and analysis of quantitative data followed by collection and analysis of qualitative data. Questionnaire and interviews were instruments used to collect data for the study. Questionnaire and interview guide were the instruments used to collect data for the study. The population for the study was all ninetyfive (95) PGDE Distance Students of the Techiman Study Centre. Simple random sampling technique was used to select seventy-six (76) students from the population, the sample size conforms with the sample size formula for finite population postulated by Krejcie and Morgan (1970). The selected samples were required to fill an online instrument for the purpose of the study. Fifty - eight (58) of the respondents successfully completed the online questionnaire. The response rate was 76%. Out of the fifty-eight (58) respondents, seven (7) were traced to respond to the qualitative questions for the study. Online questionnaire was used as the main instrument for data collection from the respondents. The questionnaire was uploaded into an online data collection platform (Survey monkey) for easy access by the students. The link to the online instrument was uploaded to respondents via the telegram app. Data obtained from the online questionnaire were analyzed. Data from the individual interviews were analyzed thematically. A striking finding of the study was that the use of the app motivated the students to learn. In conclusion, the telegram app proved to be a very impact full learning app for distance learning. According to the respondents, with the aid of the app, they have developed an increase in their attitude towards learning, a reduction in stressful learning, increased use of social media app and increased passion for virtual learning. The study recommends the adoption and integration of the telegram app for distance learning owing the resultant impact is has on student learning. |
