WhatsApp Groups as a Communication Medium for Prospective UT Taiwan Students in 2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33830/communicatio.v1i2.13303Keywords:
Communication Medium, Group Communication, Distance Education, Uses & Gratification, WhatsAppAbstract
The development of communication technology has transformed the way people interact with one another, particularly in distance education. Due to its convenience, speed, and ease of use, digital media such as WhatsApp have become popular communication tools. At the overseas service of Universitas Terbuka Taiwan, prospective students use WhatsApp groups to communicate, interact, and obtain academic information. This study aims to investigate how prospective students at UT Taiwan in 2025 utilize WhatsApp groups as a communication medium. What are the communication functions carried out on WhatsApp groups? And what are the barriers and advantages in communication that occur in WhatsApp groups for prospective students at UT Taiwan in 2025? This study employs a descriptive, qualitative approach using a case study method. Data were obtained through non-participant observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation of conversations on WhatsApp groups. The informants used were randomly selected from each study program of new students at UT Taiwan in 2025. The results show that WhatsApp groups serve not only as a channel for disseminating administrative information but also as collaborative spaces that support adaptation and foster a sense of community. This study contributes to the understanding of the dynamics of virtual group communication and serves as a reference for developing digital communication strategies in distance education environments.
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