How Mobile Learning can be an opportunity to developing countries in the 21 st century. E.T. Chitambo: Computer Science

Table of Contents Introduction Literature search Problem Statement Mobile Learning Methods of Inquiry Summary of Findings Recommendations Conclusion

Introduction Many students in South African universities come from disadvantaged backgrounds and do not have access to computers at home but almost all of them have mobile phones. The relevance of mobile learning for Africa lies in the fact that the majority of learners in Africa are without infrastructure for access and computers. By examining the recommendations from developed countries, mobile learning can be adopted by the educational sector in developing countries.

Bruce Montes (Loyal University Chicago) – With Blackboard Mobile on our team, we are positioned to achieve our overall IT goal: access – anywhere, anytime. Literature search

Problem Statement With the introduction and adoption of technology in learning by many institutions around the globe, not much has been done to make use of mobile learning especially in developing countries like South Africa.

Mobile Learning Mobile Learning enables students, teachers and instructors to use their handheld devices such as mobile phones, pocket PCs, MP3players, portable game devices, tablets, and palmtops for self learning. M-Learning aims at increasing productivity by making learning available anywhere and anytime, allowing learners to participate in educational activities without the restrictions of time and place.

Methods of Inquiry To determine if the students and faculty lectures were ready for mobile learning, I conducted a survey of readiness for mobile learning. The Survey of Mobile Learning was available through questionnaires which I gave out to various students from different faculties and to lecturers at Walter Sisulu University (NMD Campus).

Methods of Inquiry (continued) The survey included some of the following questions: Which mobile device(s) do you own? How often do you have your mobile phone with you? Do you think mobile learning will play an important role in the future of learning? Do you own a computer with an internet connection? Would you be willing/able to purchase a new mobile device if you thought it would improve your performance at school?

Summary of Findings Most of the students where between the age of 18 to 25 and all of them owned at least one of the mobile devices, with a greater percentage owning mobile cellphones.

Summary of Findings

Recommendations When considering the adoption of wireless technologies in education, schools need to ensure that learners, teachers and parents are involved as much as possible in the planning of mobile learning initiatives. As learning institutions in developing countries we should make use of the available resources to start implementing mobile learning.

Conclusion The role of m-learning in the future of e- learning in developing countries should not be underestimated. M-learning is a great step towards a better and brighter educational future. It is not expected that mobile learning will replace existing learning practices but should be implemented into the blend of e-learning applications to engage and support students.

Thank you.

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