Thabela-Chimboza, Chigona & Maumela

Critical reflection on Instant Messaging as an e-Mentoring platform in rural high schools

This paper reports the findings of a qualitative case study of critical reflection on the use of Instant Messaging (IM) for e-mentoring purposes. The researchers reflect on its potential and challenges of an e-mentoring programme implemented in a rural high school in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The majority of schools in rural areas are associated with a high school dropout rate which is influenced by various social issues. In addition, learners in rural areas are characterised by lack of self-motivation and self-actualisation. This is often exacerbated by the lack of mentoring, lack of information to encourage academic success and sometimes lack of role models. IM technologies such as WhatsApp provide an excellent platform for e-mentoring in rural settings. The paper discusses the potential of an e-mentoring programme on improving academic success in rural South Africa. It also reflects on the challenges experienced by mentors, mentees and the developers of the e-mentoring intervention during the programme. The study makes an interesting contribution to information communication technology (ICT) for development research by using critical reflection as a methodology to assess the use of IM technologies as an e-mentoring platform. In addition to mobile data challenges, the study finds learners in rural areas to be reluctant to participate in an e-mentoring relationship for a long period.