Drops back 2 places in 2019
Not just a a personal messaging app, but its broadcasting and group functionalities makes it a valuable tool both for educational and corporate activities.
Website: whatsapp.com
Cost: Free
Availability: Download app
Top 100 Tools for Personal & Professional Learning 2019: 11
Top 100 Tools for Workplace Learning 2019: 30
Top 100 Tools for Higher Education 2019: 12
Past Overall Rankings
2018: 12 2017: 13 2016: 13 2015: 21 2014: 83 2013: 86
2012: – 2011: – 2010: – 2009: – 2008: – 2007: –
Comments from some of those who selected WhatsApp as one of their Top Tools in 2019
” This is my go-to tool to stay connected with my family but recently, I have joined both professional and personal neworking Whatsapp groups and have found it to be valuable to plan one-on-one meetings with interesting people that I discovered through the group chats.” Taruna Goel, Canada https://tarunagoel.blogspot.com/2019/09/my-top-10-learning-tools-2019.html
“I use a number of communication tools: WhatsApp has become essential for interacting with individuals – clients, colleagues, friends, etc as well as groups. But I also find the Broadcast List functionality particularly useful when I want to keep a large number of people up to date with what’s happening.” Jane Hart, UK https://modernworkplacelearning.com/magazine/janes-top-ten-2019/
“Whats app is the messenger most used within my network, I use a lot to get to know what is going on within my groups and personal contats, share what I`ve done and what is relevant to the groups. As well as the Linkedin and Yammer it enables serendipity since what I receive on my feed isn`t under my control.” Knowledge Management Specialist, Brazil
“This tool came into my life not so long ago, but it took quite a strong position in it. Attract ease of use, availability, versatility of the information sent.” University Lecturer, Russia
“Effective form of communication, sharing of videos, infographics, information, articles” Adult Educator, Singapore
“live comunication, social learning” Learning Ecologies Designer, Puerto Rico
“Sharing knowledge in a fast way”
“Quick personal communication.”
“Handy, Multi-featured. Fast information.” Lecturer, Malaysia
Previous comments
“I don’t know what I would do without Whatsapp! Not only do I use this tool for personal reasons (connecting with family and friends, etc.), I have increasingly started using this tool as a way to connect with my teams, mentees and mentors. It is a handy tool for quick questions and answers or to plan group chats on common topics of interests. There is certainly some untapped potential to use Whatsapp for learning.” Taruna Goel, 2018
“The best way to engage with my team. I know a lot of people use Slack. But I just don’t see the benefit of Slack over Whatsapp for a fairly small group of people. (Feel free to enlighten me in the comments!) We share learning resources and interesting content alongside the day-to-day chat required for business to run smoothly.” Taryl Law, 2018
“With all the latest features, this tool has become my main backchannel tool, collecting material tool, sharing classroom resources tool. All the students are on it all the time, so it is a great instant gratification allround tool. What has made it the best is that you do not have a text limitation, it is visual (students take pictures of their work and share it quickly for class discussion), it can be projected using the web whatsapp, and you can share files now.” Maggie Verst, South Africa
“Groups for online collaboration and communication” Carlos Lopez March, Spain
“for communication with team and personal use” Lokesh Mehra, L&D Manager, India, 2016
“Easy to form groups (large, small) and individual messages with voice & images.” Amutha Navomoney, Adult Ed teacher, Malaysia, 2016
“Currently used more for social sharing, and less for learning. However, has immense potential for learning in closed groups.” Srividya Kumar, Consultant, India, 2016
“Create learning and discussion groups easily” L&D Manager, Germany, 2016
“Easy to form groups (large, small) and individual messages with voice & images” Amutha Navomoney, 2016
“for quick communications” Washington Braga, 2015
“I use this app to create private study groups, so that all members can stay in touch with one another.” 2015
“engage fast with kids/ friends” Thomas Jenewein 2013
“text as ask tool” Paul Jacobs 2013