Effectiveness of WhatApp Versatility in the Teaching of Mathematics and Science Pedagogical Skills to Large Classes of Undergraduates at the University Level in Kenya

Abstract

Universities in Kenya, like many others in sub-Saharan Africa, face challenges due to the rapid increase in student enrollment, leading to large class sizes due to insufficient funding. Numerous studies highlight the drawbacks of large classes and advocate for smaller class sizes to ensure quality education, particularly in science and mathematics. Therefore, finding effective and innovative methods to address the challenges of teaching large classes critical pedagogical skills of preparing schemes of work, lesson planning and improvisation in science and mathematics, is crucial for achieving quality education for university-level pre-service teachers. WhatsApp is an innovative videoconferencing tool that can facilitate instant sharing, group discussions, images, videos, video recordings, photographs, documents, web links, and lecture notes, all of which are effective for teacher training..This study aimed to explore the possibility of using WhatsApp to teach pedagogical skills to large university classes. A mixed-methods approach was utilized, with qualitative data analyzed through thematic content analysis, and quantitative data examined using frequencies and percentages. Conducted as classroom research, the study data was gathered via Google Forms questionnaires and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), involving 120 third-year students studying pedagogy in STEM subjects. This study contributes by outlining strategies for using WhatsApp to address the challenges universities face in effectively teaching pedagogical skills and enhancing student engagement in large classes. The findings suggest that WhatsApp’s flexibility supports easy information sharing, promotes collaboration, extends learning opportunities, and helps manage large classes more efficiently.