M-Learning adoption in higher education towards SDG4

Abstract

Mobile learning (M-Learning) is under-researched in Zimbabwe although it has the potential to improve learning and teaching in the Zimbabwe higher education sector. It is a tool that can help to achieve the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) which is to “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”. This study identifies the benefits and challenges of transitioning from a traditional approach to M-Learning from the perspective of Zimbabwean students, and how these challenges can be mitigated or overcome in tertiary institutions to achieve the SDG4. This qualitative study utilises focus group discussions involving twenty undergraduate students from three higher education institutions, and conducts thematic analysis of the data. This paper identifies the benefits of M-Learning in terms of SDG4 and the challenges of M-Learning in attaining SDG4, showing the complexity involved in introducing digital learning on a larger scale. The study offers suggestions to mitigate the challenges, and recommends ways to implement M-Learning effectively to ensure the provision of quality education. Finally, the paper concludes with an acknowledgement of the study’s limitations and suggestions for future research.