Investigating the Use of Mobile Learning in Saudi Higher Education: The Perspective of Undergraduate Students

Abstract

People’s life has been significantly affected due to the COVID-19 epidemic. This includes society, business, health, economic, and education fields. The purpose of this research is to investigate the use of mobile learning (m-learning) based on perceptions of higher education students in Saudi Arabia. The study analyzed the views on m-learning technologies and the utilization patterns of handheld devices for teaching and learning. It also considered the influence of demographic factors namely, gender, age, subject specialization, and the average smartphone usage. The challenges and obstacles hindering access to e-learning content have also been investigated. The study adopts a quantitative research design. The research questionnaire was administrated randomly to a sample of students comprised of males and females and from different departments across a public university in Saudi Arabia. Overall, the findings show the significant impact of smart devices on the educational process, but there are still many barriers that prevent the successful application of such technologies. The analysis provided valuable insights to design, pilot, and deploy future large-scale m-learning projects in higher education institutions in Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern nations.