- The document discusses a study on using SMS (text messaging) for exam preparation support among university students in Cape Town, South Africa. - A DFAQ (Dynamic Frequently Asked Questions) tool was used which allowed anonymous questions by SMS and responses by staff and peers. It saw much greater use during exam preparation week than the academic term. - While concerns about cost and need limited term-time use, exam preparation brought a sense of high-stakes that outweighed cost concerns and increased SMS interactions for both cognitive and affective support. - The study concluded that mobile phones can effectively support off-campus learners through consultation and that further research is needed on impacts to exam performance.

1. Using Short Message Services (SMS) for exam preparation Dick Ng’ambi and Angie Knaggs University of Cape Town South Africa IADIS International Conference on Mobile Learning, 11-13 April 2008, Algarve, Portugal

2. r Cape Town

5. Case Study Institutional LMS used on campus Integration of On/Off campus learning Texting used for cognitive / affective support Time to learn in isolation Exam Preparation week Texting as Social Practice (not seen as ed.) Too busy to learn for exams Cognitive /Affective support

6. On-Campus Affective Peer Support

7. On-Campus Cognitive Tutor/Peer Support

8. A Cognitive / Affective Knowledge Resource

11. Student uses DFAQ: an anonymous consultation tool

24. Questions / Discussion Contact: Dr. Dick Ng’ambi [email_address] Centre for Educational Technology University of Cape Town