Use of Tablet Computers to Improve Access to Education in a Remote Location

Authors

  • Mohamed Ally Athabasca University
  • Venkataraman Balaji Commonwealth of Learning
  • Anwar Abdelbaki Reach Out To Asia
  • Ricky Cheng Commonwealth of Learning

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56059/jl4d.v4i2.219

Keywords:

mobile learning, tablets, Aptus

Abstract

A research project was carried out in using mobile learning to increase access to education. This project is contributing to the achievement of Goal 4 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is to “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”. The mobile learning project involved the use of mobile technology to deliver learning materials to students to provide flexibility of access. Students used tablet computers to access electronic learning materials from the Aptus local server without having to connect to the Internet. The Aptus system is portable and was designed by the Commonwealth of Learning to allow learners to connect to digital learning platforms and access course materials without the need for Internet access. The project was implemented in a school in Pakistan. A total of 74 Grade 8, 9, and 10 students were involved in this project. The research revealed a positive impact on students and on learning as a result of their participation in the mobile learning project: students were better able to use the mobile technology for learning. Both students and parents also indicated that the project increased the students’ knowledge on the use of tablets for learning. Parents indicated that the mobile learning project increased their childrens’ interest in studying. Teachers also acknowledged that the students were taking more interest in classroom learning and concentrated on their tablets during study. Students were tested before and after they were supplied with content on their tablets. The post-test scores were significantly higher than the pre-test scores, indicating the use of the tablets for learning improved students’ performance.

References

Ally, M. (2014). Increasing access to education for all through mobile learning. Vancouver: Commonwealth of Learning. Retrieved from http://oasis.col.org/handle/11599/703

Ally, M., & Tsinakos, A. (Eds.). (2014). Increasing access through mobile learning. Vancouver: Commonwealth of Learning. Retrieved from http://oasis.col.org/handle/11599/558

Ally, M. (Ed.). (2009). Mobile learning: Transforming the delivery of education and training. Edmonton: AU Press Retrieved from http://aupress.ca/index.php/books/120155

Bestwick, A., & Campbell, J.R. (2010). Mobile learning for all. Exceptional Parent, 40(9), 18-20.

Beeston, L. (2017, February 18). Toronto school bans cellphones from class. The Star. Retrieved from https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/02/18/toronto-school-bans-cellphones-from-class.html

Campbell, C., & Cameron, L. (2016). Scaffolding learning through the use of virtual worlds. In Sue Gregory et al (Eds.), Learning in virtual worlds: Research and applications (pp. 241-259). Edmonton: AU Press.

COL (n.d.). Classroom without walls. Retrieved from. https://www.col.org/sites/default/files/Aptus-Brochure.pdf

Dolan, J.E. (2016). Splicing the divide: A review of research on the evolving digital divide among K–12 students. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 48(1), 16-37, DOI: 10.1080/15391523.2015.1103147

Dold, C.J. (2016). Rethinking mobile learning in light of current theories and studies, The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 42(6), 679-686.

Gaskell, A., & Mills, R. (2009). Using mobile technology for learner support in open schooling: A European perspective. In S. Mishra (Ed.), Mobile technologies in Open Schools (pp.65-89). Vancouver: Commonwealth of Learning. Retrieved from http://oasis.col.org/handle/11599/78.

Harper, B., & Milman, N.B. (2016). One-to-one technology in K–12 classrooms: A review of the literature from 2004 through 2014. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 48(2), 129-142, DOI: 10.1080/15391523.2016.1146564

Henriksen, D., Mishra, P., & Fisser, P. (2016). Infusing creativity and technology in 21st century education: A systemic view for change. Educational Technology & Society, 19(3), 27–37.

Mayer, R. E. (2009). Multimedia learning (2nd ed.). Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press.

Mitra, S. (2014). The future of schooling: Children and learning at the edge of chaos. Prospects, 44(4), 547–558. DOI 10.1007/s11125-014-9327-9

Mohamed, S., Chebbi, M & Behera, S.K. (2016). Pervasive mobile learning system in the new millennium. American Journal of Educational Research, 4(18) 1257-1264. doi: 10.12691/education-4-18-3

Naismith, L., Lonsdale, P., Vavoula, G., & Sharples, M. (2006). Literature review in mobile technologies and learning. Report 11, Bristol: Futurelab. Retrieved from https://lra.le.ac.uk/bitstream/2381/8132/4/%5B08%5DMobile_Review%5B1%5D.pdf

Pew Research Center. (2017). Mobile fact sheet. Retrieved from http://www.pewInternet.org/fact-sheet/mobile/

Philip, T.M. (2017). Learning with mobile technologies. Communications of the ACM, 60(3), 34-36.

Traxler, J. (2010). Distance education and mobile learning: Catching up, taking stock. Distance Education, 31(2), 129-138

Published

2017-06-13

How to Cite

Ally, M., Balaji, V., Abdelbaki, A., & Cheng, R. (2017). Use of Tablet Computers to Improve Access to Education in a Remote Location. Journal of Learning for Development, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.56059/jl4d.v4i2.219

Issue

Section

Case Studies
Received 2017-04-22
Accepted 2017-06-02
Published 2017-06-13