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Characteristics of Mobile Teaching and Learning

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Handbook of Mobile Teaching and Learning

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Abstract

Mobile technology has been a growing trend for higher education and personalized learning (Peng et al. 2009; Alley 2009; Ainge 1995). Regarded as a vital learning tool for a new generation of students and teachers, it has attracted considerable attention in recent years (Alhassan 2016; Doug et al. 2009). Some researchers have argued mobile teaching and learning should be distinguished from online learning because of its own characteristics and functions (Alley 2009; Peng et al. 2009; Fraga 2012; Hennig 2016). A mobile device has different hardware features, software, and connection limitations to traditional computers (Zhang 2012). The characteristics of mobile devices and learning through mobile device are discussed in this chapter. The usage of mobile devices and the time requirements are different compared with learning on fixed computers (Yuh-Shyan et al. 2004; Doug et al. 2009). The advantages and limitation of mobile learning is also discussed in this chapter. The cost of the mobile network and connection quality also limited the learning activities on mobile devices (Zhang 2012). Online survey results from university students in different countries provided some intriguing findings about the future of mobile learning program design. Education program designers, schools, industry developers, and government should work together to provide a stable and safe mobile learning environment for students and individuals. But avoiding the potential risks when adopting mobile technology must be taken seriously.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. WEMOSOFT, Wollongong, NSW, Australia

    Yu (Aimee) Zhang

Authors
  1. Yu (Aimee) Zhang
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Correspondence to Yu (Aimee) Zhang .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. CEO, WEMOSOFT, Wollongong, NSW, Australia

    Yu (Aimee) Zhang

  2. Teaching and Learning, The Ohio State University, Upper Arlington, OH, USA

    Dean Cristol

Section Editor information

  1. British Columbia Institute of Technology, Surrey, BC, Canada

    Rob Power

Appendices

Survey from Australian Undergraduate Students

When do you usually use your mobile phone/devices?

figure a

What brand of mobile device(s) you are currently using?

figure b

Which applications or websites you usually access when you study on your mobile phone?

figure c

How long you use your mobile phone to study per day?

figure d

Do you think the mobile application have positive influences on the following aspects of your study?

figure e

Survey from Chinese Undergraduate Students

Did you try any of these studying methods after class?

figure f

What mobile phone (system) are you using?

figure g

When do you usually use your mobile phone?

figure h

The average length of your mobile study is:

figure i

What would you think mobile learning would help?

figure j

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Zhang, Y.(. (2019). Characteristics of Mobile Teaching and Learning. In: Zhang, Y., Cristol, D. (eds) Handbook of Mobile Teaching and Learning. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-41981-2_5-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-41981-2_5-2

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-41981-2

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Chapter history

  1. Latest

    Characteristics of Mobile Teaching and Learning
    Published:
    04 December 2018

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-41981-2_5-2

  2. Original

    Characteristics of Mobile Teaching and Learning
    Published:
    14 April 2015

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-41981-2_5-1

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