A Study on WeSupport , a WeChat-based Learning Platform
Executive Summary
Tapping into WeChat ’ s reach and potential , CCR CSR launched an eLearning platform , known as “ WeSupport eLearning Platform ”, on WeChat in 2015 that seeks to support , motivate and inspire migrant parent workers , young workers and line managers working in factories through knowledge sharing . Over the course of a year , followers of the platform have been receiving tailored lessons , tips , articles , quizzes , videos and campaigns via a WeChat public account push notification on a weekly basis .
Looking at both WeChat on the whole and the WeSupport platform specifically , this study surveyed 567 migrant workers through online surveys and in-depth interviews to evaluate the impact of WeChat-based eLearning on migrant workers ’ life and work and the degree to which it has responded to their needs . It also analyzed users ’ characteristics , online habits and interests , with a particular focus on WeChat ’ s role in social integration .
The study found that WeChat and WeSupport helps migrant workers with such challenges as social integration , knowledge acquisition , communication and motivation .
The study also highlights links between the number of public accounts people follow , their education level and gender . In general , migrant workers with lower education and male workers follow the least number of public accounts , while the majority of WeSupport platform users have high education levels . However , we also found that the most active users on WeSupport were actually the people with the lowest education levels , indicating that once the first barrier is breached , this form of eLearning can be particularly attractive to workers .
Looking at the reception of the WeSupport content we could see that the support aimed at parent migrant workers received the strongest feedback , with parents reporting that the content is applicable in their daily lives and addresses common challenges . As such WeChat and platforms such as WeSupport have the potential to become an important tool for migrant workers in terms of social integration , increased awareness and support .
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