Towards student inclusivity during COVID-19: Testing the #datafree Moya messenger
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Date
2020
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
CSALL University of Durban-Westville
Abstract
The coronavirus has highlighted the socio-economic plights of many of our
students who are not able to continue learning due to the lack of internet access
and the high cost of data. As a result, a large majority of students may be
excluded when our learning management systems are not zero-rated. On 15
April 2020, not all Network Providers have zero-rated the University of the
Western Cape’s iKamva e-learning management system. This has resulted in
the need to implement innovative options. This exploratory case study piloted
the #datafree Moya Messenger application which should allow 500 students
access to instant messages without having data. The pilot performed ten tests
to test the usability and accessibility of the application. Nine of the ten tests
were achieved. Findings indicated challenges in the initial implementation of
the application to the class and the need to have mobile data or WiFi turned on
for use. Despite the intention to keep all students connected, the application
was not available to iPhone users, so it was not entirely inclusionary. However,
it may still be a more inclusive option than using e-learning systems that are
not zero-rated.
Description
Keywords
Student inclusivity, Socio-economic conditions, Data-free mobile messenger, Covid-19, Internet access
Citation
Petersen, F. (2020). Towards student inclusivity during COVID-19: Testing the #datafree Moya messenger. Alternation,32(1). https://doi.org/10.29086/2519-5476/2020/sp32a12