Learner Behavior towards Mobile Learning at the Open University in Thailand

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the behavior of learners at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) in Thailand before developing mobile learning. It attempted to determine the needs and conditions of mobile technology usage according to the perceptions about mobile learning. The sample consisted of 39 male and 112 female undergraduate students (totaling 151 students) studying at the School of Liberal Arts from 3 programs -- Thai Studies (42 percent), Information Science (34 percent), and English (24 percent). Most of the respondents were between 31 and 35 years old and were largely working in government organizations. About 48 percent of learners spent time using their mobile phones between 5-11 pm. The findings indicated positive learner behaviors toward using mobile technology. Each of the following scores are ranked in ascending order: behavior in business for finance and online shopping (33 percent), behavior in entertainment for photo and video taking (42 percent), behavior in society for social networking (57 percent), and behavior in education for searching information (58 percent). Furthermore, all learners agreed on the benefits of mobile learning, including online learning anywhere and anytime, more understanding of lessons, self-learning assessment, easy user interface, and interaction among students and between students and teachers.