Mobile Learning Systems’ Functionalities in Higher Education Institutions in Tanzania: Teachers and Students’ Readiness at the College of Business Education
- 532 Downloads
Abstract
Mobile learning (m-learning) through mobile devices has been playing a significant role in enhancing teaching and learning in higher education institutions (HEIs). However, little is known about the readiness of both teachers and students to extend the traditional face-to-face pedagogy into using their mobile devices for mobile learning. This study, therefore, aimed at investigating the readiness of both teachers and students at the College of Business Education (CBE) for m-learning and the suitable m-learning systems’ functionalities to enhance the teaching and learning. The study applied a survey strategy to obtain the views of both the teachers and students. Using the random sampling technique, 35 teachers and 141 third year bachelor students were selected for the study. The analysis of data was done using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) descriptive statistics. Results showed the majority of teachers (Mean = 4.5143) and students (Mean = 4.3551) are ready for mobile learning.
Keywords
Mobile learning systems Higher education institutions Teachers and student’s mobile learning readiness CBE TanzaniaReferences
- 1.Mtega, W.P., Bernard, R., Msungu, A.C., Sanare, R.: Using mobile phones for teaching and learning purposes in higher education: a case of the Sokoine University. In: The 5th UbuntuNet Alliance Annual Conference, Dar es Salaam (2012)Google Scholar
- 2.Oyelere, S.S., Paliktzoglou, V., Suhonen, J.: M-learning in Nigerian higher education: an experimental study with Edmodo. Int. J. Soc. Media Interact. Learn. Environ. 4(1), 43–62 (2016)Google Scholar
- 3.Gikas, J., Grant, M.M.: Mobile computing devices in higher education: student perspective on learning with cellphones, smartphones & social media. Internet High. Educ. 19, 18–26 (2013)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 4.Shonola, S.A., Joy, M., Oyelere, S.S., Suhonen, J.: The impact of mobile devices for learning in higher education institutions: Nigerian University case study. Int. J. Mod. Educ. Comput. Sci. 8, 43–50 (2016)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 5.Abas, Z.W., Peng, C.L., Mansor, N.: A study on learner readiness for mobile learning at Open University Malaysia. In: IADIS International Conference Mobile Learning, Barcelona, Spain (2009)Google Scholar
- 6.Young, J.R.: Smartphones on campus: the search for “killer” apps. Chron. High. Educ. 86–88 (2011)Google Scholar
- 7.The United Republic of Tanzania: Tanzania Development Vision 2025. Ministry of Finance and Planning, Dar es Salaam (2000)Google Scholar
- 8.Tedre, M., Ngumbuke, F., Kemppainen, J.: Infrastructure, human capacity, and high hopes: a decade of development of e_learning in a Tanzanian HEI. Revista de Universidad y Sociedad del Conocimiento (RUSC) 7(1), 1–14 (2010)Google Scholar
- 9.Lwoga, E.T.: Critical success factors for adoption of web-based learning management systems in Tanzania. Int. J. Educ. Dev. Using Inf. Commun. Technol. 10(1), 4–21 (2014)Google Scholar
- 10.Mtebe, J.S., Raisamo, R.: Challenges and instructors’ intention to adopt and use open educational resources in higher education in Tanzania. Int. Rev. Res. Open Distance Learn. 15(1), 249–271 (2014)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 11.Mtebe, J.S., Raisamo, R.: Investigating students’ behavioral intention to adopt and use mobile learning in higher education in East Africa. Int. J. Educ. Dev. Using Inf. Commun. Technol. 10(3), 4–20 (2014)Google Scholar
- 12.Foti, M.K., Mendez, J.: Mobile learning: how students use mobile devices to support learning. J. Lit. Technol. 15(3), 58–78 (2014)Google Scholar
- 13.Sharples, M., Arnedillo-Sánchez, I., Milrad, M., Vavoula, G.: Mobile learning: small devices, big issues. In: Technology-Enhanced Learning: Principles and Products, pp. 1–20. Springer, Dordrecht (2009)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 14.El-Hussein, M.O., Cronje, J.C.: Defining mobile learning in the higher education landscape. Educ. Technol. Soc. 13(3), 12–21 (2010)Google Scholar
- 15.Oyelere, S.S., Suhonen, J., Shonola, S.A., Joy, M.S.: Discovering students mobile learning experience in higher education in Nigeria. In: Frontiers in Education 2016 Conference, Erie, PA (2016)Google Scholar
- 16.Parsons, G.: Information provision for Higher Education distance learners using mobile devices. Electron. Libr. 28(1), 231–244 (2010)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 17.Mtebe, J.S., Dachi, H., Raphael, C.: Integrating ICT into teaching and learning at the University of Dar es Salaam. Distance Educ. 32(2), 289–294 (2011)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 18.Mtebe, J.S., Kondoro, A.W.: Using mobile Moodle to enhance Moodle LMS accessibility and usage at the University of Dar es Salaam. In: IST-Africa 2016 Conference Proceedings, Dar es Salaam (2016)Google Scholar
- 19.Aljuaid, N.M.F., Alzahrani, M.A.R., Islam, A.Y.M.A.: Assessing mobile readiness in Saudi Arabia higher education; an empirical study. Malays. Online J. Educ. Technol. 2(2), 1–14 (2014)Google Scholar
- 20.Mahat, J., Ayub, A.F.M., Wong, S.L.: An assessment of students’ mobile efficacy, readiness, and personal innovativeness towards mobile learning in higher education in Malaysia. Soc. Behav. Sci. 64(9), 284–290 (2012)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 21.Cheon, J., Lee, S.C.S.M., Song, J.: An investigation of mobile learning readiness in higher education based on the theory of planned behavior. Comput. Educ. 59, 1054–1064 (2012)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 22.Osang, F.B., Ngole, J., Tsuma, C.: Prospects and challenges of mobile implementation in Nigeria: case study National Open University. Harare, Zimbabwe (2013)Google Scholar
- 23.Benbasat, I., Barki, H.: Quo Vadis, TAM? J. Assoc. Inf. Syst. 8(4), 211–218 (2007)Google Scholar
- 24.Denscombe, M.: The Good Research Guide: For Small-Scale Social Research Projects, p. 25. McGraw-Hill, Leicester (2014)Google Scholar
- 25.Hussin, S., Manap, M.R., Amir, Z., Krish, P.: Mobile learning. In: APAC M-LEARNING Conference, Bandung (2011)Google Scholar
- 26.Lwoga, E.T.: Making learning and web 2.0 technologies work for higher learning institutions in Africa. Campus-Wide Inf. Syst. 29(2), 90–107 (2012)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
- 27.Mwandosya, G.I., Montero, C.S.: Towards a mobile education tool for higher education teachers: a user requirements definition. In: Proceedings of the 2017 IEEE Science Technology & Innovation Africa Conference, Cape Town (2017)Google Scholar
- 28.Oyelere, S., Suhonen, J., Sutinen, E.: M-learning: a new paradigm of learning ICT in Nigeria. Int. J. Interact. Mob. Technol. 10, 35–44 (2016)CrossRefGoogle Scholar