Social Media Versus Learning Management Systems in Open Distance e-Learning: Platform Preferences Among Rural Pre-Service Teachers
Summary. Rural pre-service teachers in an open distance e-learning program prefer social media platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp over formal learning management systems like Moodle because they offer better accessibility and lower bandwidth demands. However, students view these platforms as unprofessional and unsafe, while seeing Moodle as credible and academically rigorous. The study concludes that combining both platform types balances accessibility with academic integrity in resource-constrained rural contexts.
Cite this article
Zwane, S. A., & Mudau, P. K.. (2026). Social Media Versus Learning Management Systems in Open Distance e-Learning: Platform Preferences Among Rural Pre-Service Teachers. Education Sciences. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci16060821
Zwane, Siyabonga Alfa, and Patience Kelebogile Mudau. “Social Media Versus Learning Management Systems in Open Distance e-Learning: Platform Preferences Among Rural Pre-Service Teachers.” Education Sciences, 2026. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci16060821.
Zwane, Siyabonga Alfa, and Patience Kelebogile Mudau. 2026. “Social Media Versus Learning Management Systems in Open Distance e-Learning: Platform Preferences Among Rural Pre-Service Teachers.” Education Sciences. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci16060821.
@article{zwane-2026-social-media-versus-learning-management,
title = {Social Media Versus Learning Management Systems in Open Distance e-Learning: Platform Preferences Among Rural Pre-Service Teachers},
author = {Siyabonga Alfa Zwane and Patience Kelebogile Mudau},
journal = {Education Sciences},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.3390/educsci16060821},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci16060821}
}
TY - JOUR TI - Social Media Versus Learning Management Systems in Open Distance e-Learning: Platform Preferences Among Rural Pre-Service Teachers AU - Siyabonga Alfa Zwane AU - Patience Kelebogile Mudau JO - Education Sciences PY - 2026 DO - 10.3390/educsci16060821 UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci16060821 ER -
Details
- DOI
- 10.3390/educsci16060821
- Countries
- South Africa
- Regions
- Africa
- Categories
- education, broadband-and-digital, general-innovation
- Added
- 2026-06-01