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WhatsApp is one the world's most popular social media apps, as well as one of the most popular chat-based, closed platforms. Utilizing the insights from 19 in-depth interviews, we approach WhatsApp from a cultural perspective of ritual communication, seeking to understand how people make sense of WhatsApp use in their daily lives. We found WhatsApp is largely used to maintain community and fellowship with friends, coworkers, family, and even acquaintances or strangers. However, WhatsApp use is not wholly cohesive or harmonious. Social life on WhatsApp can become highly fragmented given numerous groups, and more groups mean more messages that individuals struggle to keep up with. We define the central nature of WhatsApp in Indian social life as India's WhatsApp imaginary, in which ritualized mobile media practices intertwine with cultural contexts to transcend borders, connect people via mobile affordances, and sustain daily social and business lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article proposes methodological reflections on a digitally mediated ethnographic work that explores the family memories of police and military personnel killed in armed action during the Peruvian internal armed conflict (1980-2000). This exploration was carried out through the consultation of their domestic photographic archives (analog and digital) and from the voices of their closest relatives (widows and older sister). Thus, it was proposed to make visible other stories in relation to the violence of those years. The research digital mediation was held mainly through WhatsApp video calls. This social network allowed the conduction of interviews and photo elicitation exercises with analog photographs, to reconstruct life stories. This experience encouraged a series of (re)adaptations and (re) learnings to understand these video calls as ethnographic meeting places and as windows into the everyday and intimacy of homes, inviting to rethink distances and places of enunciation in research contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the use of a WhatsApp chat group by Dutch and Belgian Muslim women (born or converted), who are considering or made hijra (religiously inspired migration to a Muslim country) to Morocco. I argue that WhatsApp plays a crucial role in facilitating and narrating these women's migration by providing a support network and shaping a gendered sense of community and religious belonging. Drawing on theories of religion and gender, migration, and digital media, I conceptualize WhatsApp in the context of hijra to Morocco as a social practice of homemaking that helps alleviate the precarious conditions these women find themselves in. This article also illustrates the complex entanglement of offline and online realities by highlighting how my interlocutors' interactions in this WhatsApp group foster a trans-local Muslim 'sisterhood,' that informs their offline practices and experiences of hijra to Morocco. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anti-vaccine community has on social media one of the main channels for the dissemination of fake news and disinformation. This represents a challenge for governments during health crises. This study analyzes the behavior of social media users concerning COVID-19 vaccination through a national survey including 1800 representatives of the Spanish population. WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram users were the most vaccinated. However, TikTok and YouTube hosted the highest percentage of the unvaccinated. In relation to the booster dose, most users show a positive attitude, with Facebook users standing out, while YouTube users show the highest rejection. In addition, users who have spent more time on social media were less vaccinated with booster doses and had a higher percentage of unvaccinated. Concrete data are provided to develop communication strategies such as segmentation and social listening to be carried out during a crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Perspectivas de la Comunicación is the property of Journal Perspectivas de la Comunicacion, PhD in Communication, University of La Frontera and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Via a multiple case study of work in microfinance institutions in India, this paper reports on the experiences of field officers and branch managers following work digitalisation. It identifies and explains an intriguing post‐digitalisation paradox of reported increased job satisfaction and tighter technological control diminishing branch managers' work‐life balance. The paradox draws attention to the significance of context in workers' experiences of mobile digital technologies (MDTs) and contradicts previous studies on workers' positive experiences of adopting MDTs: the workers in this study did not experience greater autonomy or flexibility but reported enhanced employment security and status. The paper also adds to literature on employment relations following work digitalisation by revealing powerful enforcement of technological control, with 'WhatsApp' identified as a key managerial tool used for surveillance and discipline, and worker resistance at the margins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Bulletin of Ablai Khan KazUIRandWL: Series 'Pedagogical Sciences' is the property of Kazakh Ablai Khan University of International Relations & World Languages and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Mobile-based extramural English (EE) activities, including watching movies, playing digital games, and listening to music outside the classroom, have played an important role in increasing learners' interest in English as a foreign language (EFL). This mixed-method design study aimed to investigate the role of EE activities in the vocabulary development of intermediate EFL learners. The study included a group of 60 learners, including 30 male and 30 female students from two language institutes. A pretest, posttest, and delayed posttest were used. The experimental group utilized WhatsApp to receive electronic vocabulary instruction four days per week for two months as part of the EE activities. In contrast, the control group received classroom instruction using the conventional approach typically employed in EFL contexts for teaching the same textbook vocabulary. A semi-structured interview was conducted to investigate the participants' beliefs regarding their preference for EE-based activities. The results of the EG group revealed that EE-based activities significantly impacted the students' vocabulary learning (p < 0.001). The findings also revealed no significant differences in vocabulary knowledge between male and female students after using EE activities (p = 0.34). The themes that emerged from the qualitative phase suggested that participants preferred EE-based activities as they can result in less mental stress, more vocabulary learning, improved conversation, and improved pronunciation and grammar. Also, the participants preferred various mobile-based EE activities, including watching movies, listening to music, playing multiple games, watching cartoons, and focusing on movie subtitles, which resulted in their vocabulary development. The findings call for language educators to integrate more virtual and online-based EE activities to supplement traditional vocabulary teaching practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"WhatsApp" is an instant messaging application, and its use for teaching and learning purposes has been widespread in recent years. The immediate and complete transition to distance learning increased the use of digital technologies, including the WhatsApp application. This study aims to get a comprehensive picture of the integration of WhatsApp groups in academic learning during the COVID-19 epidemic. A scoping review of the articles published on the subject was carried out to examine its advantages and challenges. For this review, 21 articles in the English language that were published in the years 2020 to 2022 in nine different countries were located, mapped, and analyzed. The review's findings indicate applying various quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. Among the study subjects studied, the most common was learning English as a foreign language. This review generally reflected a positive position toward integrating WhatsApp groups into learning and teaching processes in the academy. The pedagogical advantages were noted, such as creating scholarly discourse, sharing learning materials, and learning anywhere and anytime. At the same time, the findings regarding the effect of the integration of the WhatsApp group on academic achievements are not unequivocal and require further clarification. In examining the challenges from a pedagogical point of view, concerns arose about social distancing, which impairs the ability to monitor learning processes. Factors such as motivation, sense of belonging, involvement, and enjoyment were noted in the social-emotional field. The social-emotional field received a considerable place relative to the pre-pandemic occupation of the subject. Still, it received limited attention compared to the pedagogical and technical fields. The reference to technical issues was given a central place, reflecting the need to maintain scholarly communication during social distancing. Compared to various other technological tools, including other social networks, the use of WhatsApp for learning purposes has many advantages, including ease of operation, low costs, and diverse options. The findings of this review may help researchers, policymakers, and lecturers choose the best way to integrate an instant messaging application such as WhatsApp into the learning processes during a crisis and on regular days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to disruption to education during the COVID-19 pandemic, mobile phone-based messaging has emerged in some instances as an accessible, low-connectivity way of promoting interactivity. However, no recent reviews have been undertaken in relation to how social media and messaging apps can be used to effectively support education in low- and middle-income countries. In this scoping review, 43 documents were identified for inclusion, and three main thematic areas emerged: supporting student learning (including interacting with peers and other students, peer tutoring and collaborative learning; and interacting with teachers, through content delivery, teaching and assessment); teacher professional development (including structured support and prompts, and informal communities of practice); and supporting refugee education. The discussion and findings are both of practical use, to inform responses to the current pandemic and designing initiatives in the future, and will also be useful for advancing research in this expanding field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kenya has a history of media censorship and citizen surveillance. The advent of social media is laudable for contributing to freedom of speech and accountability in Kenya. Studies show that WhatsApp, through its group formation affordance, has largely contributed to political participation in Kenya and beyond. Kenyans see it as a "safe" place away from government surveillance, a carry-over of authoritarian rule. This is especially so since WhatsApp is considered as private media compared to other social media platforms. For instance, many political bloggers on Twitter and Facebook perceived to be anti-establishment have been arrested and charged, but only accountable arrests have been made in connection to WhatsApp activities despite government threats. This article argues that although actors, both human and non-human, act to construct a safe community for political participation on WhatsApp, modes of exclusion and inclusion arise from the socio-technological interaction which could pose a threat to the newly founded "safe space". Though the study site is in Kenya, this article grapples with issues other scholars of social media and politics grapple with globally, that is, safety, security, surveillance, and political participation, among others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of digital health technologies, including telemedicine and teledentistry, has become a necessity in healthcare due to the SARS-CoV-19 pandemic. These technologies allow for the reduction of the workload of healthcare providers and the improvement of patient outcomes in cases of remote monitoring, diagnosis, and communication. While there are no doubtful benefits, there are some counterparts, such as concerns about clinical risks, data security, and privacy protection. This paper aims to review the regulations regarding the use of digital health apps and software in healthcare. This scoping review followed the PRISMA-ScR guidelines and the five-step framework of Arksey and O'Malley. Study selection was based on eligibility criteria that were defined using the population-exposure framework. The review of the articles selected (n = 24) found that the majority focused on data security policies in the healthcare industry, highlighting the need for comprehensive regulations and app control systems to protect patient data. The articles also emphasized the requirement for more appropriate research and policy initiatives to improve data security practices and better address privacy and safety challenges related to health-related apps. The review recognized that papers did not report consistent standards in professional obligation and informed consent in online medical consultations, with potential risks for data privacy, medical liabilities, and ethical issues. Digital health has already revolutionized medical service delivery through technology but faces some challenges, including the lack of standardized protocols for handling sensitive patient data and the absence of common legislative provisions, raising concerns about confidentiality and security. To address these issues and deficiencies, regulatory compliance is crucial to clarify and harmonize regulations and provide guidelines for doctors and the health system. In conclusion, regulating patient data, clarifying provisions, and addressing informed patients are critical and urgent steps in maximizing usage and successful implementation of telemedicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fundamental role of political discussions in democracy has been frequently highlighted by quantitative and qualitative literature at the intersection of political communication and media effects. Most research has revolved around whether, and if so under what conditions, social media platforms constitute public spaces where democracy can be nurtured and promoted. Building on this literature and underscoring the importance of individuals' self-effects theories, this qualitative study, based on 42 in-depth interviews, clarifies how social media users navigate political discussions and their ulterior affective and cognitive processes, introducing the notion of political discussion regret. Specifically, this concept fundamentally emphasizes the sterility of partaking in political discussions as the main motivation for users' cognitive lamentation, which indirectly cancels the presumed muscle of social media as the sphere of public and private political discussion and deliberations. Implications of the study's findings and main theoretical consequences for the political discussion literature are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Comunicação, Mídia e Consumo is the property of Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Comunicação, Mídia e Consumo is the property of Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Traditional and legacy Spanish-language news outlets are shrinking, leaving many communities in the U.S. without news that satisfies their critical information needs. At the same time, news media entrepreneurs are adopting and adapting to technological changes that offer new venues for news delivery. We use a mixed-methods research approach to analyze Latinx digital-native news media organizations that distribute news in Spanish via mobile instant messaging (MIM) apps. Results show that journalists took a bottom-up approach to meeting the information needs of their audiences, choosing MIMs because their readers were already established on those platforms. Our work also reveals that news delivered via MIMs focuses mostly on health, emergencies and public safety, civic information, and economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Riwayat: Educational Journal of History & Humanities is the property of Riwayat: Educational Journal of History & Humanities and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The COVID-19 pandemic is unarguably one of the most disastrous events whose detriment to the normalcy of the education and training sectors will never be forgotten. To salvage the academic year, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) encouraged historically disadvantaged schools to explore rotational learning. This was supplemented by mobile learning, with WhatsApp Messenger as the schools' most preferred application. However, in the face of the concerns that were raised by education commentators, student bodies and teacher unions about the lack of public schools' readiness for mobile learning, this social constructivist-oriented qualitative study adopted the technology acceptance model (TAM) as a lens to investigate educators' perceptions of WhatsApp Messenger as a supplementary tool for curriculum knowledge transfer and acquisition during the stricter COVID 19 lockdown at three historically disadvantaged schools in South Africa. This study drew on 12 educators' diverse and convergent views. The participants generally deposited positive feedback regarding the benefit of using WhatsApp Messenger to engender curriculum knowledge transfer and acquisition. However, they also detailed a few negative aspects of this pursuit, primarily on how the financially needy learners were excluded from participating in this process. Also, educators admitted that while going beyond the call of duty was necessary during the pandemic, the adoption of WhatsApp-mediated teaching consumed most of their leisure time. According to them, this was compounded by poor internet connectivity due to the country's power crisis. In some instances, this adversely affected the productivity of WhatsApp Messenger-mediated curriculum knowledge transfer and acquisition processes during the COVID-19 stricter lockdown regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effectiveness of WhatsApp (WA) in helping students learn phrasal verbs in an English as a Foreign Language context. Using a mixed-method approach, data were collected from 32 Level 4 students of the General Foundation Program at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Ibra, Oman. The students were provided with 15 phrasal verbs to be learnt and used in sentences within five weeks through WA. An achievement test was conducted in the fifth week to measure the learning. In addition, a questionnaire survey and an interview were conducted to investigate students' perceptions regarding the effectiveness of WA in learning and the challenges they faced during the process. The findings showed students' positive perception regarding WA's effectiveness as a learning tool. However, certain challenges such as distraction, poor Internet connection, and poor time management were found to hinder their learning process considerably. Overall, the study highlighted the possibility of successful WA integration in foreign language education with strategies to minimize the challenges and maximize the effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study was planned to find out if the use of blended learning as a combination of face-to-face instruction and mobile-assisted language learning using WhatsApp contributed to the vocabulary learning and autonomy of Iranian EFL learners compared to the traditional method. To assess their English skills, PET was given to 80 homogenous intermediate learners at the beginning of the study. The study's intended participants were fifty EFL learners with scores that were within the intermediate competency level. Then, the participants were divided randomly to experimental and control groups to see how successful blended learning vs traditional education is at improving learners' vocabulary knowledge. One-way between-groups analysis of covariance was run. On post-test scores, the findings indicated a statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups. Another one-way between-groups analysis of covariance was performed to assess the impact of two distinct blended learning vs traditional teaching treatments on EFL learners' autonomy. In post-test results, a significant difference between the control and experimental groups' performance was observed. This study provided insights into how technology may be applied to teach language components and skills.

Nowadays supporting in communication ways in easier by Electronics many applications using to communication as Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Line and others. The development of era has been influence in communication and interaction way. Many of slang word used in communication in verbal, orally or written. Slang is one of effect of social life in language it is part of language variety which are informal which used to communication as members in social community. With slang people used, is one indicating people are modern and impressive. Objectives of this Research is gives points about Sociolinguistics Slang Word; using on Social Media especially in WhatApp Application. From these article wish we found what kinds of Slang word used on WhatsApp Media. Method used in this research is qualitative method to analyze data. Data obtained came from WhatsApp Application that used teenagers in Author WhatsApp Group. For collecting the data, Author used the method of observation. Author found some slang words that using teenagers in popular slang as : “Jelly” meaning Jealous, “Swag” means Cool, “Y” means why, “Zzz” Means Sleeping, “Imo” means In my opinion and others.

A pandemia modificou os processos comunicativos na educação infantil. Partindo das experiências das autoras, este estudo objetiva refletir sobre a adoção do WhatsApp como suporte de comunicação entre escola e famílias durante a suspensão das aulas presenciais e as mudanças das práticas decorrentes. Trata-se de uma análise qualitativa com base em investigação documental da legislação estadual e municipal seguida da observação participante em duas escolas públicas. A análise dos resultados tem como aporte teórico a cultura escolar, fundamentada em autores como Dominique Julia e Faria Filho. A incorporação do aplicativo WhatsApp como suporte de comunicação desde a suspensão até o restabelecimento presencial das aulas ocasionou maior eficiência na troca de mensagens e na interação entre as culturas da família e da escola. Nesta imediata inserção do WhatsApp, destaca-se um estreitamento nos processos subjetivos desses grupos sociais em torno das práticas pedagógicas realizadas a serviço da promoção da cultura da infância.

El discurso social puede legitimar la inequidad de género a través de la cosificación femenina, una forma de diseminación de este discurso está en las conversaciones de WhatsApp. Este estudio buscó identificar posibles factores que influyen en la intención de los adolescentes de compartir contenido sexista en grupos de WhatsApp. Se analizaron variables como: creencias sexistas, normalización de la cosificación, la normativa social percibida, la identidad social y el tipo de uso de WhatsApp. El estudio presentó un enfoque cuantitativo y un alcance correlacional. Se aplicó un cuestionario auto perceptivo a 385 estudiantes de colegio. Los resultados permitieron comprobar correlaciones entre las variables mencionadas y la intención de compartir contenido, así, se identificaron aspectos en los que se puede intervenir a futuro en campañas y procesos de conciencia social ante el mal uso de WhatsApp.

Although the effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs in secondary prevention is well-recognized, there is a lack of studies exploring the potential of mobile health to enhance educational interventions within CR. The objective is to assess the impact of a structured WhatsApp-assisted health educational intervention, in conjunction with the usual care, compared to the usual care alone among participants enrolled in a CR program. The trial will recruit 32 participants enrolled in a CR program, who will be randomly assigned to a structured WhatsApp-assisted health educational intervention plus usual care or usual care alone group. The intervention will span 4 weeks, with assessments at baseline, 4 weeks, and 3, 6, and 12 months. The primary outcome measure is the cardiovascular risk factors knowledge score. Secondary outcomes include physical activity levels, anxiety and depression, and quality of life. Expected results include improved knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors, increased physical activity levels, and better mental health outcomes in the intervention group. Additionally, an enhancement in the overall quality of life is anticipated. These findings are expected to underscore the value of integrating mHealth with traditional CR methods, potentially shaping future approaches in chronic disease management and prevention.

Background: Mobile (M) learning is an emerging platform for students to learn through smartphones. The widespread use of smartphones on medical college campuses among the students and the faculty has now emerged as an interesting and immediate tool for acquiring knowledge. The smartphone can also become an efficient method in teaching and learning programs. Review results: Out of the 100 students who participated in the study, 83 of them liked the WhatsApp-based M-learning program (83%). Conclusion: This study found immediate acceptance of a new learning mode, that is, the M-learning WhatsApp mode, thus serving as an eye-opener that students are open to newer learning methods. Newer learning methods should be introduced in the curriculum. Academic significance: A large number of students used smartphones for communication, education, entertainment, navigation, and gaming purpose, so this method would help channelize the proper and effective use of the electronic gadget. Moreover, the WhatsApp application supports free voice and video calls so teachers and students can stay in touch, even outside the stipulated periods.

Kebijakan social distancing dan physical distancing yang ditetapkan pemerintah dalam rangka memutus penyebaran Covid-19 memberikan dampak pada kegiatan belajar mengajar di Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini (PAUD). Proses belajar mengajar pada anak usia dini yang cenderung melibatkan tatap muka, interaksi dan keterlibatan secara langsung harus dilakukan melalui pembelajaran online atau daring. Diperlukan sebuah media pembelajaran yang dapat menciptakan atmosfer sekolah walaupun kegiatan sekolah ditutup, yaitu melalui pemanfaatan media sosial WhatsApp karena dinilai sangat mudah digunakan bagi orang tua dan memiliki banyak fitur yang memudahkan kegiatan belajar mengajar bagi anak usia dini. Penelitian ini mengambil tujuan untuk melihat bagaimana dan sejauh apa pemanfaatan media sosial WhatsApp dapat mengubah perilaku belajar anak usia dini di masa pandemi. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif deskriptif dengan pendekatan studi kasus dan mengambil lokus penelitian di TPA Bale Bermain Anwari Jakarta Timur. Hasil dari penelitian ini adalah penggunaan media sosial WhatsApp dinilai cukup efektif sebagai media pembelajaran daring karena dapat menjadi sarana edukasi dan evaluasi dari kegiatan belajar mengajar bagi anak usia dini. Namun demikian, penggunaan jaringan internet masih menjadi kendala bagi guru dan orang tua sehingga membutuhkan kebijakan baru dalam dunia pendidikan selama masa pandemi agar tetap tercipta pendidikan Indonesia yang bermutu dan berkualitas.

This paper is devoted to exploring the way how the mobile instant messaging WhatsApp is deployed to enhance the learning of a second or foreign language. Therefore, this study set out to investigate the empirical studies related to WhatsApp and language learning published in peer-reviewed journals. Thirty-seven studies were selected after a four-phase article identification procedure and a systematic review was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of WhatsApp on language learning. The analysis focused on the keywords, sample sizes, participants, data sets, duration, and language learning benefits of the studies. The results have shown that WhatsApp has been used diversely in language learning. The studies found evidence that WhatsApp can be used to improve the four language skills (i.e. reading, listening, writing, and speaking), integrated language skills, and vocabulary. Moreover, WhatsApp was found to be effective in increasing motivation and language attitudes, fostering learner autonomy, increasing interaction, and lowering language anxiety. The study also provided future research directions and recommendations for practice concerning how to appropriately employ mobile instant messaging in language learning.

This research aims to determine the forms, scales, and factors of students' politeness in communication to their thesis advisor lecturers via WhatsApp. The research design was descriptive qualitative research. The subject of this research was 54 of 2017 English students' text messages to their thesis advisor lecturers who were selected from classes A, B, and C by using the purposive sampling technique. The data were analyzed based on theory forms of politeness by Kushartanti, scales of politeness by Leech, and factors affecting politeness by Brown & Levinson's theories. From the findings of this study, there are four forms of politeness used by students, namely pronominal sentences, indirect sentences, opening sentences, and word appreciation sentences. The most widely used forms of politeness are opening sentences and appreciation words. Five politeness scales were also found, namely the cost and benefit scale, the optionality scale, the indirectness scale, the authority scale, and the last is social distance scale, where this scale is the most widely used. All politeness data are influenced by relative power and social distance, and there is no size of imposition politeness factor found. There are also two forms of impoliteness in this study, directness and without using the word appreciation and some students are classified as impolite based on the optionality scale. Students use all existing forms of politeness because they use Indonesian politeness forms and Indonesian culture, which considers these forms a sign that sentences in a conversation are considered polite. The form of politeness used by students is influenced by the politeness scale, that is social distance and vice versa. Based on the result, it can be concluded that most of the students have used politeness form when communicating with their lecturers through WhatsApp text messages.

In this article, we explore the role that WhatsApp can play as a research tool for investigating the experiences of settling refugees. Messaging apps can help researchers collect data about people’s everyday lives while also providing insights into processes that are difficult to study as they happen. The communicative affordances of messaging apps also facilitate spontaneous interactions in research and the flexibility needed when working with mobile groups of people, such as refugees. We build on our experience of interacting together with Venezuelan refugees through the Conexión Sin Fronteras (Connection Without Borders) WhatsApp group, which was designed by the researchers in the form of an intervention focused on building community among Venezuelans settling in the city of Boa Vista, Brazil. Our experience shows that data collection in WhatsApp allows researchers to obtain relevant insights into social support, relationship-building, and negotiations of rules in a group context. However, our research outlines challenges related to the varied engagement of participants in WhatsApp group chats and the difficulty for researchers to be always present during group conversations. Limitations to the use of WhatsApp in research with refugee populations also include restrictions in terms of internet capacity shaping the types of data participants choose to share. In this context, it is crucial to address barriers to access to connectivity and create opportunities to enhance refugees’ literacy regarding data collection in digital spaces. We hope these findings will contribute to the development of inclusive methodological approaches using mobile apps in refugee settings.

The effectiveness of using Whatsapp media as an online learning medium has yet to be tested. Especially if it is associated with character education which is the essence of education itself. This study aims to 1) to find out how the teacher's activities in online-based learning using WhatsApp media at Madrasah Ibtidaiyah, 2) to find out how the learning outcomes of Madrasah Ibtidaiyah students are using WhatsApp media, 3) to find out how the parents of Madrasah Ibtidaiyah students respond to the use of WhatsApp as an online-based learning media. The research method used is descriptive quantitative, which produces findings that 1) teacher activity in online-based learning using WhatsApp media is still low with a percentage of 69.30% being in the sufficient category. 2) student learning outcomes using WhatsApp as an online learning medium have not been achieved classically with a percentage of 76.9%. 3) parents' responses to WhatsApp as an online learning medium are positive with a percentage of 82%. The use of WhatsApp as a learning medium at the Madrasah Ibtidaiyah level is less effective, so the implication is that it does not support the implementation of Character Education at Madrasah Ibtidaiyah.

Ruba AbdelMatloub Moawad Psychology Department, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Ruba AbdelMatloub Moawad, Email ramoawad@ksu.edu.saBackground: Social media is an integral part of daily life as people are exposed to considerable amounts of information via social media. In particular, WhatsApp is a messaging application used for sharing information and keeping in touch with individuals and groups. It is a platform considered appropriate for expressing emotions.Purpose: This study analyzed a WhatsApp group of friends in Saudi Arabia and their messages regarding the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic during the first wave of infections to capture their attitudes, emotions, and perceptions related to the pandemic. We also investigated WhatsApp usage during COVID-19.Methods and Participants: A quantitative exploratory study and qualitative content analysis of a sample of WhatsApp group interactions during the pandemic in Saudi Arabia were combined.Results: We found that WhatsApp was used more frequently than other social media platforms for communication with family and friends. Moreover, denial was the first behavior evident at the beginning of the pandemic, followed by hope, sadness, and anxiety, and then, panic, fear, and happiness.Conclusion: WhatsApp affects its users’ attitudes, perceptions, and behavior just as much as any other social media. Posts and comments shared on WhatsApp reflected different emotions, ranging from fear, anger, and sadness to hope, happiness, and pride.Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic, emotions, perception, social networks, WhatsApp

Pengabdian masyarakat ini bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi model pemantauan pasien DM dan HT melalui aplikasi WhatsApp (WA) selama pandemi Covid-19. Kabupaten Bantul merupakan salah satu Kabupaten dengan jumlah PTM tertinggi di DIY, termasuk DM dan HT.Tim dan mitra menyepakati tiga masalah prioritas dalam melakukan pematauan DM dan HT, yaitu rendahnya pengetahuan dan perilaku pasien dalam melakukan pemantauan DM dan HT, dan 2) sulitnya melakukan pemantauan DM dan HT di layanan kesehatan selama pandemi Covid-19. Ada 3 (tiga) tahapan dalam melaksanakan solusi yang ditawarkan untuk mengidentifikasi dan mengatasi permasalahan semakin meningkatnya DM dan HT, yaitu: 1) observasi lingkungan, 2) wawancara dokter, pasien, tokoh masyarakat dan Kader, dan 3) diskusi kelompok pasien HT dan DM di Puskesmas Pundong. Ada tiga tema penting yang dapat digunakan untuk merancang model pemantauan pasien DM dan HT, yaitu: 1) aplikasi WA sebagai media pendukung pemantauan DM dan HT, 2) kemudahan dalam mengendalikan DM dan HT selama pandemi Covid-19, dan 3) kendala penggunaan aplikasi WA. Pemantauan DM dan HT berbasis aplikasi WA merupakan salah satu inovasi yang dapat mempermudah pencegahan komplikasi. Keterbatasan penggunaan aplikasi WA menjadi penghambat dalam penggunaan model ini. Penggunaan aplikasi WA menggunakan pesan singkat dan video call merupakan model pemantauan DM dan HT yang disukai selama pandemi Covid-19.

Usia paling rentan terhadap masalah gigi dan mulut adalah pada masa anak-anak dan remaja. Pemahaman mengenai menjaga kesehatan gigi dan mulut serta cara pencegahannya sangatlah penting pada masa ini. Salah satu cara meningkatkan pemahaman adalah mengedukasi mereka menggunakan sumber atau media yang tepat. Remaja biasanya memilih penggunaan WhatsApp daripada facebook, instagram, line dan platform media sosial lainnya. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengevaluasi efektivitas grup WhatsApp sebagai alat pengajaran untuk kesadaran kesehatan gigi dan mulut remaja. Sebuah penelitian cross sectional dengan total sampel sebanyak 97 orang. Formulir survei dan materi edukasi dibagikan kepada peserta penelitian secara online melalui grup WhatsApp. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa jumlah peserta pada kelompok pengetahuan baik, meningkat dari 62 orang (63,9%) menjadi 78 orang (80,4%) antara pretest dan posttest, sedangkan pada kelompok pengetahuan cukup mengalami penurunan, dari 35 orang (36,1%) menjadi 19 orang (19,6%) dan tidak ada subjek berada pada kelompok pengetahuan kurang. Uji Wilcoxon memperlihatkan terdapat pengaruh tingkat pengetahuan yang signifikan sebelum dan sesudah edukasi melalui grup WhatsApp, p=0,000 (0,05). Disimpulkan bahwa edukasi yang disampaikan melalui grup WhatsApp efektif dalam meningkatkan pengetahuan kesehatan gigi dan mulut remaja.