Learners’ Attitude to and Use of Mobile Learning in Open and Distance Learning: Experiences from National Open University of Nigeria
Keywords:
Accessibility, attitude, distance learners, information and communication technologies, mobile learning, mobile phones, open and distance learningAbstract
The improved access and availability of mobile technology has enabled more students to participate in the learning process. Hence, as mobile phone usage m Nigeria explodes, it offers open and distance educational institutions easy access to a larger number of learners. Mobile technology has the prime advantage of being used anywhere, anytime; hence this study seeks to investigate students' attitude, accessibility and usability towards the efficacy of mobile learning. A survey was carried out using National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) students in the Department of Communication Technology as participants in the study. The outcome of the analysis indicated that mobile learning has the potential to enhance students' attitude as well as the effectiveness of the available student support system in NOUN. It is hoped that the outcome of this research will help inform all stakeholders, those who are seeking to adopt mobile learning systems with a view to improving interaction and enriching students' learning experiences in their Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institutions.
References
Attewell, J., & Savill-Smityh, C. (2003). m-Learning and Social Inchi Focusing on Learners and Learning. Proceeding of MLEARN. Learning with mobile devices (pp. 3-12). London: Learning and Skills Development Agency.
Boehner, K., Gay, G., & Larkin, C. (2005). Drawing Evaluation into I for Mobile Computing: A Case Study of the Renwick Gallens held Education Project. Journal of Digital Libraries Specie Museums, 5(3), 219-230.
Bymes, R., & Ellis, A. (2006). The Prevalence and Characteristics of Online Assessment in Australian Universities. Australasian Journal of Education Technology, 22(1), 104-125.
Ezra, K. Maritim & Horonatha, M. Mushi (2011) Mobile Technologies for Enhancing Distance Learning in Tanzania: An Exploratory Study. West African Journal of Open and Flexible Learning. Vol. 1, (1), 91- 110.
Habitzel, K., Mark, T. D, Stehno, B., & Prock, S. (2006). Micro-learning:
Emerging concepts, practices and technologies after e-learning.
Proceedings of Microlearning 2005 Learning& Working in New Media. In: Conference Series: Innsbruck University Press: Retrieved June 6, 2007 from: http://www.microleaming.org/micropapers/ microleaming2005_proceedings_digitalversion.pdf
Ipaye, Babatunde (2005). Study Guides and Learning Strategies in Open and Distance Learning. Lagos: Chayoobi Publishers.
ITedgenews.com. (2012). Convergence: Mobile payments to take centre stage before 2016 Retrieved from: http://www.itedgenews.com/ Convergence_Mobile.shtml#.html
Keegan, D. (2002). The Future of Learning: From e-learning to m-learning (No. ZIFF Papiere 119). Hagen Zentrales Institute fur Femstudienforschung: FemUniversitat.
Knight, P. (2007). Promoting Retention and Successful Completion of Master Course on Education: A study comparing e-tuition using asynchronous conferencing software with face-to-face tuition. Open Learning, 22(1), 87-96.
Nigerian Communications Commission (2012). Operator Data: Retrieved from http://www.ncc.gov.ng/industry-statistics/operator-data.html
Nwaocha, V. O. (2010). Common Strands of Mobile Learning. Retrieved from: http://www.articlesbase.com/e-learning-articles/common- strands-of-mobile-learning-implementation-1919880.html
Nwaocha, V. O. (2010). “SMS-Based Mobile Learning System: A Veritable Tool for English Language Education in Rural Nigeria.” Proceedings of 1PID Postgraduate Strand, at ICTD 2010 Conference.
Rekkedal, T. (2002). Trying out a Learning Environment for Mobile Learning: Evaluation of the course. The Tutor in Distance Education Phase 1 of the NKI sub-project of EU.
Leonordo Project, 'From e-learning to m-learning.' Retrieved March 1,2007 from: http://leaming.ericsson.net/ mleaming2/ files/ workpackage2 designing.doc
Taylor, J., Sharpies, M.» O'Malley, C., Vavoula, G., & Waycott, J. (20061 Towards a Task Model for Mobile Learning a Dialectical Approach International Journal of Learning Technology 2(2/3), 138-158.
Traxler, J., & Riordan, B. (2003). Evaluating the effectiveness of retentive strategies using SMS, WAP and www Student Support. Proceeding of the 4th Annual Conference: LTSN Centre for Information and Computer Science (pp. 54-55). Galway, Ireland.
Valdez, G. (2005). Critical Issue: Technology: A Catalyst for Teaching and Learning in the Classroom Retrieved from: http://www.ncrel.org/sdrslareas/issues/methods/technlgy/te600.htm
Vavoula, G. N. (2005). D4.4: A study of mobile learning practices, MOB Hearn project deliverable. The MOBIlearn project web Retrieved March 1, 2007 from
http://www.mobilearn.org/download/resuitf|l public_deliverables/MOBIleam_D4.4_Final.pdf
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
