Solo or peers: technology mediated learning of programming

Abstract

We explored how teaching and learning programming can be made at home in Namibian university students' existing practices with their phones. We analysed practices that emerged in using WhatsApp group chat amongst 219 students registered for a first-year programming course. We also analysed responses by a small sample of 22 students to a questionnaire about social media and SoloLearn Learn C#, an online learning application that some students began to use during the module. We found that students supported each other by sharing learning resources and helped each other with theoretical and practical problems through WhatsApp. We suggest that developing functionality on a focused mobile social media resources, with different settings for supporting each other might provide valuable pedagogical tools to engage different students.