The impact of a peer leader on students' interactions through Whatsapp at Umm al-Qura University in Saudi Arabia

الملخص EN

This piece of work is a quasi-experimental study investigating the result of appointing a student to lead and encourage others to partake in SLTs (WhatsApp).

in this experiment, quantitative and qualitative information was gathered in order to evaluate the style and subject matter of the students’ discussions.

the study was conducted over four weeks, during which time students were to collectively answer a problem set by their tutor.

a selection of students was randomly separated into two groups, A and B.

within group A, a peer leader was appointed, while group b remained without one.

each group of students was scrutinized, after information and data from the interviews and online discussions had been compiled, to determine the extent of an individual’s contribution within the group.

this would disclose the extent to which leadership from a peer is advantageous.

furthermore, it was considered how the various content of the messages shaped and improved the understanding and relationships between the group affiliates.

the study proved that a fellow student, in the role of mediator, had an encouraging effect on the discourse.

in the conclusion of the study, the possible consequences for using this type of mediation in reality and as a platform for additional research are considered.