Makerere University Paul B. Muyinda, Jude T. Lubega, Kathy Lynch An Evaluation of the Mobile Research Supervision Initiative (MRSI) at Makerere University E/merge2008 Online Conference 7 th – 18 th July 2008

Emerge2008 Online Conference, July Mobile Research Supervision Initiative (MRSI) at Makerere University: Lessons learned Overview Introduction Makerere University, Department of Distance Education Genesis of the MRSI Main Research Question Specific Research Questions Evaluation Methodology Results Discussion and Conclusion

Emerge2008 Online Conference, July Mobile Research Supervision Initiative (MRSI) at Makerere University: Lessons learned Introduction Pervasiveness of Mobile Phones All sectors now have mobile applications Education sector and mobile phones Academic and administrative support Makerere Example – MRSI

Emerge2008 Online Conference, July Mobile Research Supervision Initiative (MRSI) at Makerere University: Lessons learned Introduction… Short Message Service support –Field data collection support –Making face to face appointments –Pointers to useful literature –Motivation –Pacing the student –Encouraging collaboration –Deadlines

Emerge2008 Online Conference, July Mobile Research Supervision Initiative (MRSI) at Makerere University: Lessons learned Makerere University, Department of Distance Education Established in 1991 Programmes offered by distance education Has 4 programmes run on collaborative basis –BCom (3500), BEd (2100), BSc (200), CYP (110) Student support activities –Face to face (campus and centers), print & radio –Online learning – access constraints (only 1%) –Now mobile learning (97% with mobile phones) –MRSI

Emerge2008 Online Conference, July Mobile Research Supervision Initiative (MRSI) at Makerere University: Lessons learned Genesis of the MRSI Research as a partial requirement Supervision - a nightmare 40% throughput (Otto & Wrightson, 2005) Why MRSI –Make the research process a rewarding and exciting activity –Increase supervisor’s physical and virtual presence –Minimise the perceived negative impact of lack of face-to-face interaction –Personal touch provider –Hence MRSI Initiative started in 2005/06 academic year –Supervisors were encouraged to use mobile phones Need for an evaluation

Emerge2008 Online Conference, July Mobile Research Supervision Initiative (MRSI) at Makerere University: Lessons learned Main Research Question Worthiness of the MRSI

Emerge2008 Online Conference, July Mobile Research Supervision Initiative (MRSI) at Makerere University: Lessons learned Specific Research Questions 1.What research supervision aspects were most adequately handled through distance learner mobile research supervision at Makerere University? 2.What influence did mobile research supervision have on students’ completion rate? 3.What were the constraints faced by the research students during mobile research supervision? 4.What were the cost implications of mobile research supervision to the student, supervisor and Department? 5.What other academic and administrative components could be delivered via mobile phones to distance learners at Makerere University?

Emerge2008 Online Conference, July Mobile Research Supervision Initiative (MRSI) at Makerere University: Lessons learned Evaluation Methodology Mixed quantitative and qualitative approaches Population – research students, supervisors and DE administrators Research students – Simple Random Sampling In-depth interviews – supervisors (5) and DE (2) administrators – Purposive Questionnaire (ownership, connectivity issues and research supervision) Interview Guide (connectivity issues and research supervision) Analysis - Descriptive statistics

Emerge2008 Online Conference, July Mobile Research Supervision Initiative (MRSI) at Makerere University: Lessons learned Results – Supervision Aspects Adequately Served by M-learning Fix face to face meetings appointments (96%) Field research guidance from supervisors and fellow students (90%) Communication with supervisors to create intimacy (56%) Motivating student in field (54%) –MRSI broke the phobia –MRSI reduced the loneliness in the field –MRSI created a virtual community of practice –Facilitated active and collaborative learning

Emerge2008 Online Conference, July Mobile Research Supervision Initiative (MRSI) at Makerere University: Lessons learned Results – MRSI and Students’ Throughput Research paper does not determine student’s throughput No significant difference in completion time 5 months to complete their research project paper MRSI did not in any way influence the student’s research project completion time. Attrition rate of 40% reported in Otto and Wrightson (2005) stems from other intervening factors which are a subject for further research

Emerge2008 Online Conference, July Mobile Research Supervision Initiative (MRSI) at Makerere University: Lessons learned Results - Constraints Students were not adequately prepared for the MRSI Supervisors – Experienced information overload on phones. Supervisor – Increased cognitive load when multitasking

Emerge2008 Online Conference, July Mobile Research Supervision Initiative (MRSI) at Makerere University: Lessons learned Results - Cost implications Views on MRSI cost experiences were sought Airtime credit a major constraint in MRSI

Emerge2008 Online Conference, July Mobile Research Supervision Initiative (MRSI) at Makerere University: Lessons learned Results – Other Academic & administrative components Delivery of content (learning objects) to learners Augmenting text based materials Providing links to useful materials Reminders Pedagogical support by tutors

Emerge2008 Online Conference, July Mobile Research Supervision Initiative (MRSI) at Makerere University: Lessons learned Recommendations Need to negotiate with mobile telecommunications service providers to give a concession in communications charges to educational institutions Provide call centers

Emerge2008 Online Conference, July Mobile Research Supervision Initiative (MRSI) at Makerere University: Lessons learned Conclusion Mobile phone are handy device for facilitating active and collaborative learning It is worth investing in MRSI for distance learners It is worth investing in developing e-learning solutions geared towards personalising learning M-learning provides learning support to learners at anytime in any place

Emerge2008 Online Conference, July Mobile Research Supervision Initiative (MRSI) at Makerere University: Lessons learned Issues for Further Research Cost/benefit analysis of mobile learning Causes of high attrition rates of distance education learners at Makerere University Mobile learning objects development and delivery

Emerge2008 Online Conference, July Mobile Research Supervision Initiative (MRSI) at Makerere University: Lessons learned The End QUESTIONS AND DICUSSIONS WELCOME About the Authors Paul B. Muyinda (Presenter) Department of Distance Education, Makerere University, UGANDA, Jude T. Lubega (PhD) Faculty of Computing and IT, Makerere University, UGANDA, Kathy Lynch (PhD) University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, AUSTRALIA,