SXSW EDU 2025
WhatsApp as a tool for inclusive STEM education
Description:
What can we do when reaching underserved learners seems impossible without better technology? I encountered this exact scenario on a recent expedition to Antarctica. Despite being told that internet connectivity was too poor for ship-based education, I cultivated a WhatsApp community of 1,000+ people who engaged with me daily. I will examine my operations as a case study on how to use WhatsApp for education when internet bandwidth (for you or your audience) restricts digital solutions. My experience is relevant for practitioners, funders, and administrators prioritizing inclusivity.
Related Media
Other Resources / Information
An archive of every WhatsApp post I made while on the ship can be accessed here: https://www.hollybik.com/nbb2303whatsapp-1
Takeaways
- Encourage attendees to consider how WhatsApp could be employed to meet goals that have previously felt out of reach.
- Discuss how to formally experiment with and measure results from WhatsApp, so attendees can gather support for their own projects.
- Give attendees practical information about how to use WhatsApp, including lessons learned, that will help them advance their own projects efficiently.
Speakers
- Virginia Schutte, Science Media Specialist, Self-Employed
Organizer
Virginia Schutte, Science Media Specialist, Self-Employed
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