U-Learning: A Modern Paradigm Shift of Learning from Higher Education Students' Perspective

Abstract

Learning from everywhere, at whatever time is a modern trend in the field of learning that supposed to be tactile with both cost and time saving. This trend is apparent in the way ICT technology intercede knowledge processes between students. There are studies in the literature that draw attention to the disadvantages of ICT technology being utilized in the process of learning. This article presents a SWOT analytic study performed on ubiquitous computing (u-computing) and computer-intermediated community interaction and its effects on education. Interviews have been conducted from students based on chosen themes using questionnaire based analysis. This article identifies what learners comprehend to be the strength, weakness, opportunities and threats of ubiquitous computing and computer-intermediated community interaction in learning are. This article also relates its findings compared with the literature and describes a mutual understanding on the SWOT of these notions. Our results show positive perceptual experiences. The students uncovered that ubiquitous computing and computer-intermediated community interaction are essential ingredients in their learning process because of the inherent advantages such as flexibility, effectiveness in terms of time, cost and the ability to acquire computer skills. However, disadvantages were also brought up for instance security issues, privacy, health effects, noise in the learning environment, to name a few. The article ends with suggestions on how to surmount threats mentioned above.