Factors influencing students’ acceptance of m-learning: An investigation in higher education

Ahmad Abu-Al-Aish,Steve Love

doi:10.19173/irrodl.v14i5.1631

Abstract

<p>M-learning will play an increasingly significant role in the development of teaching and learning methods for higher education. However, the successful implementation of m-learning in higher education will be based on users’ acceptance of this technology. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to study the factors that affect university students’ intentions to accept m-learning. Based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) (Venkatesh et al., 2003), this study proposes a model to identify the factors that influence the acceptance of m-learning in higher education and to investigate if prior experience of mobile devices affects the acceptance of m-learning. A structural equation model was used to analyse the data collected from 174 participants. The results indicate that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, influence of lecturers, quality of service, and personal innovativeness were all significant factors that affect behavioural intention to use m-learning. Prior experience of mobile devices was also found to moderate the effect of these constructs on behavioural intention. The results of this research extend the UTAUT in the context of m-learning acceptance by adding quality of service and personal innovativeness to the structure of UTAUT and provide practitioners and educators with useful guidelines for designing a successful m-learning system.</p>

Highlights

M-learning is a new stage in the development of e-learning and distance learning
Using UTAUT, the results indicated that performance expectancy, effort expectancy have significant effects on behavioral intention
The results indicated that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, perceived playfulness, and self-management of learning were all significant determinants of behavioral intention of m-learning acceptance

Summary

Introduction

M-learning is a new stage in the development of e-learning and distance learning. It refers to any learning which takes place via wireless mobile devices such as smart phones, PDAs, and tablet PCs where these devices are able to move with the learners to allow learning anytime, anywhere (Naismith et al, 2006; Wang, Wu, & Wang, 2009).The fast spread of mobile devices and wireless networks within university campuses makes higher education a suitable place to integrate student-centered m-learning (Cheon et al, 2012). M-learning is a new stage in the development of e-learning and distance learning It refers to any learning which takes place via wireless mobile devices such as smart phones, PDAs, and tablet PCs where these devices are able to move with the learners to allow learning anytime, anywhere (Naismith et al, 2006; Wang, Wu, & Wang, 2009). Mobile devices have become more affordable, effective, and easy to use (Nassuora, 2012) These devices can extend the benefits of e-learning systems (Motiwalla, 2007) by offering university students opportunities to access course materials and ICT, learn in a collaborative environment (Nassuora, 2012), and obtain formative evaluation and feedback from instructors (Crawford, 2007)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion