The blended discourse of SMS communication in a mobile student administration system

Abstract

The pilot implementation of a Short Messaging Service (SMS) system for student-academic staff administrative information exchange in a higher education environment is described. Assessment results and related alerts were broadcast to students and access was provided to information relating to their subject schedules and assessment performance. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected during the pilot study using an online student survey with a basis in Davis’s (1989, 1993) Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). A preliminary analysis of the data from focus groups for staff and student participants is outlined here. The pilot and subsequent review enabled an evaluation of the benefits of SMS in relation to supporting student services, specifically scheduling information and assessment feedback. Some of the sociolinguistic issues related to the usage of the system are discussed, these being findings derived from the focus groups.