Mobile Learning as a Method of Ubiquitous Learning: Students’ Attitudes, Readiness, and Possible Barriers to Implementation in Higher Education

Riyadh Alhassan

doi:10.5539/jel.v5n1p176

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the attitudes and level of readiness, and possible barriers to implementing Mobile Learning as a part of ubiquitous learning. In addition, the study attempted to find out to what extent students are interested in mobile learning. It also aimed to answer the question regarding the readiness of college students to use mobile learning technologies. Furthermore, the level of students experience in electronic learning was examined. The study was conducted to gather valuable data about are the possible advantages and disadvantages of mobile learning, and the barriers do students expect facing when implementing the mobile learning technologies. To answer the research questions, a questionnaire was administered to 1000 college students, with some of them being interviewed for in-depth information. The findings of the study showed that students had highly positive attitudes toward mobile learning, and they had the necessary technical knowledge to implement mobile learning. However, students were found to have very little experience in electronic and mobile learning. Students have mentioned some advantages of mobile learning among which was the possibility of learning outside the classroom and at any time. Some disadvantages were mentioned such as the fact that students might become annoyed with receiving too many text messages per day. Finally, students listed some barriers they expect to face the implementation of mobile learning. The study concluded with suggestions for future research and recommendations to university officials to better implement mobile learning.

Highlights

The revolution in communication and information technology field has led to the multiplicity of settings where university learners can get the knowledge (Wagner, 2005)
The item was “To what extent do you agree with the following statement: I am interested in conducting some classroom activities using the laptop linked wireless Internet, mobile phone, or handheld assistance device”
There is more students’ support for opening the use of mobile learning more broadly in higher education. This was evident through their responses for the second item of the questionnaire: “To what extent do you agree with the following statement: what do you think of giving all students the option to get mobile learning opportunities in some classroom activities using a laptop linked to the Internet wirelessly, mobile phone, or handheld personal assistant

Summary

Introduction

The revolution in communication and information technology field has led to the multiplicity of settings where university learners can get the knowledge (Wagner, 2005). The term “mobile learning” or m-learning is, defined as the type of that could be done by the use of mobile technologies It is as a novel form of learning which permits learners to access learning materials anywhere and anytime through wireless network and the Internet (Lan & Sie, 2010). According to Kee and Samsudin (2014) the young learners in this mobiletechnology era can practice ubiquitous learning effortlessly They can get full access to the required material from diverse resources in the web. According to Kim and Onq (2005), the rapid development of information and communication technologies has led to the increased use of those technologies in teaching and learning, and that the convergence between the mobile devices and the current educational techniques gives students greater flexibility in terms of availability of knowledge and its accessibility. It is expected that the development in the mobile education field to increase in the near future, and to provide learning opportunities through these new technologies

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Conclusion