Abstract
This research was aimed at the investigation of mobile device and computer use at a higher learning institution. The goal was to determine the current use of computers and mobile devices for learning and the students' reading speed on different platforms. The research was contextualised in a sample of students at the University of South Africa. Students indicated their use of computers and mobile devices for educational purposes in closed questions. The results of this case study showed that most students preferred reading from university supplied printed materials than from notes downloaded on computers or mobile devices. The percentages of students who use computers and mobile devices were calculated. Students currently use computers more than mobile devices for reading downloaded notes. A mobile eye tracker was used to analyse the students' reading speed on paper, and on a mobile device. Screen based eye tracking was also used to analyse the participants' reading speed when reading on a desktop screen. Participants who read on paper had the fastest reading speed than those who read on mobile device or computer screen.
Highlights
The increased availability and evolution of technology has made it easier for computers and mobile phones to be accessible at educational institutions, homes and workplaces (Wei, Moldovan and Muntean, 2009)
Students indicated their use of computers and mobile devices for educational purposes in closed questions that were in the questionnaire, see Table 2
More students reported reading online applications on computer screen than on mobile device. Those who currently read their online applications on mobile device were 70% whilst 90% of the students read online applications on computer screen
Summary
The increased availability and evolution of technology has made it easier for computers and mobile phones to be accessible at educational institutions, homes and workplaces (Wei, Moldovan and Muntean, 2009). E-learning refers to learning where learners and tutors are separated by distance, time or both (Raab, Ellis & Abdon, 2002; Cantoni, Cellario & Porta, 2004) It is the use of the Internet to deliver learning, training, or educational material (Stockley, 2003; Sun, Tsai, Finger, Chen and Yeh, 2008) and has decreased the distance learning limitation of learning location (Blocher, De Montes, Willis and Tucker, 2002). It includes learning through other kinds of electronic mechanisms, e.g. computer based learning material distributed on CDs, video tape, TV, DVD, intranet, extranet, satellite broadcasts and personal organisers (Kahiigi, Kigozi, Ekenberg, Hansson, Tusubira and Danielson, 2008). Comparison of the reading speed on mobile device, paper and computer screen was undertaken
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