Abstract
In higher education environments in the Asia-Pacific particularly in South Asian region, mobile learning introduction and implementation are associated with certain challenges in order to harness its true benefits and potential. This research aims at investigating the feasibility of a potential introduction of mobile learning into Pakistani university environments. The expectations of students and senior university leadership stakeholders on key policy-making roles were investigated during this exploratory case study research. From three of the Pakistani mainstream universities, students and teachers participated in focus groups and discussion sessions, and leadership stakeholders were invited for individual interviews. The findings of the research indicate that there are several implications for practice by university leadership stakeholders if mobile learning is to be included in mainstream education in university environments in South Asian region. Findings of the research show that universities might need to adapt the paradigm shift in pedagogies from traditional face-to-face learning to mobile learning, resulting in updating certain key factors in university teaching and learning environments such as changing teaching philosophies and modifying learning resources. Further, mobile learning initiatives would require universities to modify several policies regarding students’ attendance, use of mobile devices in university premises and classrooms and adjusting teachers’ workload. The findings of the research could be generalised for the university environments in other South Asian countries such as India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan due to similar sociocultural environments in those countries.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Acedo, C. (2014). Mobile learning for literacy, teacher training and curriculum development. Prospects, 44(1), 1–4. doi:10.1007/s11125-014-9299-9.
Adkins, S.S. (2015). The 2014–2019 Asia mobile learning market. Retrieved from http://www.ambientinsight.com/
Akhshabi, M., Khalatbari, J., & Akhshabi, M. (2011). An experiment on conducting mobile learning activities on the virtual university. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 28(0), 384–389.
Anderson, T. (2008). In T. Anderson (Ed.), Theory and practice of online learning. Edmonton: AU Press.
Anjum, S.A. (2013). A short survey of the mobile learning solutions deployed in Pakistan. Retrieved from developer.nokia.com website: http://developer.nokia.com
Asia, E. (2016). EdTech Asia summit. Retrieved from http://summit.edtechasia.com/
Barker, A., Krull, G., & Mallinson, B. (2005). A proposed theoretical model for M-Learning adoption in developing countries. Paper presented at the MLearn.
Benbasat, I., Goldstein, D. K., & Mead, M. (1987). The case research strategy in studies of information systems. MIS Quarterly, 11(3), 369–386.
Brown, J.S., Metcalf, D., & Christian, R. (2008). Mobile learning update. In Elliott Masie’s learning consortium perspectives. Retrieved from www.masie.com
Chao, P., & Chen, G. (2009). Augmenting paper-based learning with mobile phones. Interacting with Computers, 21(3), 173–185.
Chen, C. (2009). Personalized e-learning system with self-regulated learning assisted mechanisms for promoting learning performance. Expert Systems with Applications, 36(5), 8816–8829.
Copley, J. (2007). Audio and video podcasts of lectures for campus-based students: Production and evaluation of student use. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 44(4), 387.
Crouch, M., & McKenzie, H. (2006). The logic of small samples in interview-based qualitative research. Social Science Information, 45(4), 483–499.
Farid, S., Ahmad, R., Niaz, I. A., Arif, M., Shamshirband, S., & Khattak, M. D. (2015). Identification and prioritization of critical issues for the promotion of e-learning in Pakistan. Computers in Human Behavior, 51(Part A), 161–171. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.04.037.
Fetaji, B., Ebibi, M., & Fetaji, M. (2011). Assessing effectiveness in mobile learning by devising MLUAT (Mobile Learning Usability Attribute Testing) methodology. International Journal of Computers and Communications, 5(3), 178–187.
Garrett, B., & Jackson, C. (2006). A mobile clinical e-portfolio for nursing and medical students, using wireless personal digital assistants (PDAs). Nurse Education Today, 26(8), 647–654.
Georgieva, E. S., Smrikarov, A. S., & Georgiev, T. S. (2011). Evaluation of mobile learning system. Procedia Computer Science, 3(0), 632–637.
Hashim, A., Wan Ahmad, W., & Ahmad, R. (2011). Usability study of mobile learning course content application as a revision tool. In H. Zaman, P. Robinson, M. Petrou, P. Olivier, T. Shih, S. Velastin, & I. Nyström (Eds.), Visual informatics: Sustaining research and innovations (Vol. 7067, pp. 23–32). Berlin/Heidelberg: Springer.
HEC. (2009). Higher education commission, Pakistan. Available at http://hec.gov.pk
Hooft, M. (2013). The potential of mobile technologies to connect teaching and learning inside and outside of the classroom. In C. Mouza & N. Lavigne (Eds.), Emerging technologies for the classroom (pp. 175–186). New York: Springer.
Ibrahim, S. (2015). Reformation of Pakistan’s education system through m-learning. Retrieved from https://www.phoneworld.com.pk
Idrus, R. M., & Ismail, I. (2010). Role of institutions of higher learning towards a knowledge-based community utilising mobile devices. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2(2), 2766–2770.
Imtinan, U. (2014). A mobile learning framework for universities in Pakistan. (PhD), Curtin University, Perth, Australia. Retrieved from http://espace.library.curtin.edu.au/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=225566&local_base=GEN01-ERA0 (225566).
Isman, A., Alrasheedi, M., & Capretz, L. F. (2015). International educational technology conference, IETC 2014, 3-5 September 2014, Chicago, IL, USA an empirical study of critical success factors of mobile learning platform from the perspective of instructors. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 176, 211–219. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.01.463.
Keengwe, J., & Bhargava, M. (2013). Mobile learning and integration of mobile technologies in education. Education and Information Technologies, 1–10. doi:10.1007/s10639-013-9250-3
Keskin, N. O., & Metcalf, D. (2011). The current perspectives, theories and practices of mobile learning. TOJET, 10(2), 202–208.
Kim, P., Buckner, E., Kim, H., Makany, T., Taleja, N., & Parikh, V. (2012). A comparative analysis of a game-based mobile learning model in low-socioeconomic communities of India. International Journal of Educational Development, 32(2), 329–340. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2011.05.008.
Koole, M. L. (2009). A model for framing mobile learning. In M. Ally (Ed.), Mobile learning: Transforming the delivery of education and training (pp. 25–47). Edmonton: AU Press.
Krueger, R., & Casey, M. (2000). Focus groups: A practical guide for applied research. London: Sage Publications.
Kukulska-Hulme, A. (2005). Mobile usability and user experience. In A. Kukulska-Hulme & J. Traxler (Eds.), Mobile learning: A handbook for educators and trainers (pp. 46–56). London: RoutledgeFalmer.
Kukulska-Hulme, A. (2009). Will mobile learning change language learning? ReCALL: The Journal of EUROCALL, 21(2), 157.
Kukulska-Hulme, A. (2010). Charting unknown territory: Models of participation in mobile language learning. International Journal of Mobile Learning and Organisation, 4(2), 116–129.
Kukulska-Hulme, A. (2012). How should the higher education workforce adapt to advancements in technology for teaching and learning? The Internet and Higher Education, 15(4), 247–254.
Kumar, A., Tewari, A., Shroff, G., Chittamuru, D., Kam, M., Canny, J. (2010). An exploratory study of unsupervised mobile learning in rural India. Paper presented at the Proceedings of the 28th international conference on Human factors in computing systems, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Lan, Y., & Sie, Y. (2010). Using RSS to support mobile learning based on media richness theory. Computers & Education, 55(2), 723–732.
Low, L. (2007). M-learning standards report: Background, discussion and recommendations for usable and accessible m-learning. Canberra: Department of Education, Science and Training. Retrieved from https://robertoigarza.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/art-m-learning-standardsreport-australia-low-2007.pdf.
Luanrattana, R., Win, K. T., Fulcher, J., & Iverson, D. (2010). Adoption of mobile technology in a problem-based learning approach to medical education. International Journal of Mobile Learning and Organisation, 4(3), 294–316.
Lundin, J., Lymer, G., Holmquist, L. E., Brown, B., & Rost, M. (2010). Integrating students’ mobile technology in higher education. International Journal of Mobile Learning and Organisation, 4(1), 1–14.
Madge, C., Meek, J., Wellens, J., & Hooley, T. (2009). Facebook, social integration and informal learning at university: It is more for socialising and talking to friends about work than for actually doing work. Learning, Media and Technology, 34(2), 141–155.
Miles, M., & Huberman, M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook. London: Sage Publications.
Mohamad, M. (2012). Issues and challenges in implementing mobile learning in Malaysian schools at 6th International Technology, Education and Development Conference, Spain, 05–07 Mar 2012, 9 pp.
Morgan, D. L. (1997). Focus groups as qualitative research (Vol. 16, 2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications.
Murphy, A., & Farley, H. (2012). Development of a framework for evaluating the impact and sustainability of mobile learning initiatives in higher education. Paper presented at the Future Challeges, Sustainable Futures, ascilite, Wellington.
Oliver, B. W. F., & Goerke, V. (2008). Undergraduate students’ adoption of handheld devices and web 2.0 applications to supplement formal learning experiences: Case studies in Australia, Ethiopia and Malaysia. International Journal of Education and Development Using ICT, 4(3), 1–14.
Parsons, D. (2011). Combining e-learning and m-learning: New applications of blended educational resources. Hershey: IGI Global.
Peters, K. (2009). M-learning: Positioning educators for a mobile, connected future. In M. Ally (Ed.), Mobile learning: Transforming the delivery of education and training (pp. 113–132). Edmonton: AU Press.
Petrova, K. (2010). An implementation of an mLearning scenario using short text messaging: An analysis and evaluation. International Journal of Mobile Learning and Organisation, 4(1), 83–97.
Premadasa, H., Meegama, R., & Gayan, N. (2013). Mobile learning environment with short messaging service: Application to a campus environment in a developing country. Campus-Wide Information Systems, 30(2), 106–123.
Ruchter, M., Klar, B., & Geiger, W. (2010). Comparing the effects of mobile computers and traditional approaches in environmental education. Computers & Education, 54(4), 1054–1067.
Sahilu, S. W., Ahmad, W. F., & Haron, N. S. (2010). Development and usability evaluation of platform independent mobile learning tool (M-LT). International Journal of Computer and Information Engineering, 4(4), 956–967.
Saif, U. (2013). Leveraging mobile phones for primary education in Pakistan. Retrieved from World Economic Forum website: http://www.weforum.org.
Sari, E., & Tedjasaputra, A. (2008). Exploring potentials and challenges of mobile ICT for learning in Finland and Indonesia. International Journal of Mobile Learning and Organisation, 2(2), 103–118.
Schneider, O., Bleimann, U., & Stengel, I. (2009). Atlantis university: Learn your own way. International Journal of Mobile Learning and Organisation, 3(2), 184–201.
Selwyn, N. (2009). Faceworking: Exploring students’ education-related use of Facebook. Learning, Media and Technology, 34(2), 157–174.
Sife, A., Lwoga, E., & Sanga, C. (2007). New technologies for teaching and learning: Challenges for higher learning institutions in developing countries. International Journal of Education and Development Using ICT [Online], 3(2), 57–67.
Ting, Y. (2013). Using mobile technologies to create interwoven learning interactions: An intuitive design and its evaluation. Computers & Education, 60(1), 1–13.
Traxler, J. (2005). Defining mobile learning. Paper presented at the IADIS International Conference Mobile Learning.
UNESCO (2013). Mobile learning projects to empower rural women in Pakistan. Retrieved from ICT in Education, UNESCO Bangkok website: http://www.unescobkk.org.
Uzunboylu, H., & Ozdamli, F. (2011). Teacher perception for m-learning: Scale development and teachers’ perceptions. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 27(6), 544–556.
Vavoula, G., Pachler, N., & Kukulska-Hulme, A. (Eds.). (2009). Researching mobile learning. Oxford: Peter Lang.
Wu, W., Jim, Y., Chen, C., Kao, H., Lin, C., & Huang, S. (2012). Review of trends from mobile learning studies: A meta-analysis. Computers & Education, 59(2), 817–827. doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2012.03.016.
Yin, R. K. (2009). Case study research: Design and methods (4th ed.). Los Angeles: Sage.
Acknowledgements
This chapter includes some of the material from author’s PhD thesis published in 2014 titled as ‘A Mobile Learning Framework for Universities in Pakistan’ (Imtinan 2014).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2017 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Imtinan, U. (2017). Mobile Learning Implementation in University Environments: Implications on Practice for University Leadership Stakeholders. In: Murphy, A., Farley, H., Dyson, L., Jones, H. (eds) Mobile Learning in Higher Education in the Asia-Pacific Region. Education in the Asia-Pacific Region: Issues, Concerns and Prospects, vol 40. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-4944-6_19
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-4944-6_19
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-10-4943-9
Online ISBN: 978-981-10-4944-6
eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)