The use of instant messaging as a didactic resource

Abstract

The improvement of technological resources used as pedagogical tools has been fast and dynamic. Instant electronic messages sent by mobile devices, for example, gain different uses in the teaching and learning processes. This article aims to analyze the potential for transformation of the app WhatsApp, taking into consideration profiles and reports of educators who use it in their daily practices. This research is quantitative and qualitative (Creswell, 2010) and was carried through snowball sampling (Baldin; Munhoz, 2011) with teachers versed on the use of mobiles more specifically, WhatsApp  at school. An online survey was applied to which 105 participants from different regions of Brazil answered. In the subsequent stage, ten teachers were selected for semi-structured interviews, at which they detailed how and why they use WhatsApp as a pedagogical resource. Simultaneously, a systematic review of literature was carried out following the protocols of studies conducted through the same orientation (Gonçalves; Nascimento; Nascimento, 2015). These tools lead to convergent results and the conclusion indicates that, provided there is commitment, preparation and teacher planning, WhatsApp has the potential to become a contributor to the success of pedagogical practices.