GroupMe Use and Misuse: A Qualitative Study of Student Use of Group Chat Apps

Group chat apps (e.g., GroupMe and others) are increasingly popular among college students, but they offer challenges and opportunities for instructors. This article presents the results of an exploratory interview project designed to assess the use and misuse of group chat apps. In-depth interview data were collected from 21 undergraduate students at a large public university and reveal that the primary uses of group chats are efficient communication of class information, support from other students, and the promotion of good study habits. Misuses included the fostering of cheating, especially in online courses, and promoting griping that could negatively affect learning environments. The article concludes with a discussion of strategies for addressing group chat apps for professors as they design and implement their courses.