1. The use of mobile phones in supporting ODL students in a developing context UNISA Research & Innovation Week (11 – 15 March 2013) Ruth Aluko

2. Comparison of Internet Users (2011)

3. Comparison of Internet & Mobile Penetrations in Africa (2011)

4. Technology Profile of New Enrolments at UP (UDE) (2002 – 2012)

5. Increasing usage of SMS over time UP (UDE)
Year
Number of SMSs sent
Enrolled Students
SMSs received per student
2002
1 412
1 725
0.8
2003
45 923
5 322 9
2004
8 555 16
2005
10 894 14
2006
13 799 22
2007
16 315 27
2008
21 085 49
2009
21 533 52
2010
20 111 59
2011
20 814 43
2012
18 432 38

6. Use of SMS for Academic Support: Project 1

7. Use of SMS for Academic Support: Project 2

8. Use of SMS for Academic Support: Project 3
Type 1: Academic instruction
MBR 734 Ass 1 is due on 8 June Tabulate your action plans for solving each HR problem. Use the headings – Problem, Future/Present/Transitional States. Dr B. UP.
Student, MBR 734 Assignment 1 is due on 8 June Critical & visionary thinking is required. Assignments must consist of a bibliography and Harvard referencing method. Dr B UP.
Student, thank you for registering for the June 2012 contact session. Use the guidelines on pg 139 (Weeks 1 – 6) of your Tutorial Booklet 1 to prepare for the session. Dr B. UP.

10. Lessons from UP experience
Relevance of technology choice
Affirm what is already communicated
Adhere to basic communication principles
Cost-effective (social media- Dr Math; Yoza; Efiko)
Immediate & just-in-time communication
More value attached by students
Reduced transactional distance
Blurred division – admin & academic
Use pull & push approaches
Integral part of communication plan
Reluctance of academics
Project sustainability

11. Limitations Removal of message after a while if phone is switched off
Loss of phone
Change of number
Wrong reader & message not conveyed
Unread message
Loss of message in cyber space
Misunderstood message
impact of a wrong message to the wrong target group has immediate dire consequences

12. Framework for the use of mobile technology for teaching and learning
1. Does the institution demonstrate processes and on-going efforts to improve the quality of teaching and learning with regard to available technology to students through monitoring and evaluation processes?
2. To what extent are staff members, learners and other clients involved in the processes of quality assurance?
3. Has the institution conducted a careful analysis into the most appropriate technology?
4. Does the technology meet the demands of cost-effective educational provision?
5. Is the selection based on the needs, resources and capabilities of the students and the institutions?
6. Does it create equal educational opportunities to students?
7. Do students have sufficient access to the technology to succeed?
8. Does the technology provide for true two-way communication?
9. Do staff development programmes equip staff to perform their roles and tasks effectively?
10. Does the institution have a policy in place with regard to the use of the technology?
Adapted from the quality criteria of NADEOSA (Welch & Reed, 2005)

13. Current Project About 5 000 participants Access of internet via phone
Functions they use their phones for
Access to computer, what type, where & purpose
Cost of data
Age
Area
Gender

14. References
Aluko F. R., Hendrikz, J. & Evans, R. Mobile technology usage in distance education programmes at the University of Pretoria: what further potentials? South African Journal of Education. (Submitted Article)
Hendrikz J. & Aluko F. R ICT realities in developing contexts and their impact on social justice. 14th Cambridge International Conference on Open, Distance & e-Learning proceedings document
Hendrikz J. & Aluko F. R The potential of mobile phones in supporting open and distance learning (ODL) learners: The case of the University of Pretoria.
Mobithinking Global mobile statistics 2013 Part A: Mobile subscribers; handset market share; mobile operators.
Statistics South Africa Census
Unit for Distance Education (UDE) Data from the Unit for Distance Education. Pretoria: University of Pretoria.
Viljoen J, Du Preez CS & Cook A Transforming learning through technology: The case of using SMSs to support distance education students in South Africa. Perspectives in Education, 23(4):115–122.
Welch T & Reed Y (eds) Designing and delivering distance education: Quality criteria and case studies from South Africa. Johannesburg: NADEOSA.

15. Thank You!