Rozhan M Idrus

Adoption of Mobile Learning Among Distance Education Students in Universiti Sains Malaysia

This study was carried out in order to investigate whether mobile learning using Short Message Service (SMS) was a method of learning adopted by the students enrolled in the School of Distance Education, Universiti Sains Malaysia. As adult learners who are in vocation, time and isolation are the bane of self-study. Since all the students own a mobile device that can receive SMS, educational messages can be sent directly to their devices. This experimental study explored the impact of learnerâ??s characteristic, learning design and learning environment to their adoptability. This study utilised two models of data analysis, the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 12.0 and the Rasch model analysis for measurement. The analysis was conducted on a sample of 105 students based on gender, age, ethnicity, programme of study and mobile device ownership. The students were from four different courses which are Bachelors of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Social Science and Bachelor of Management. The questionnaire-answer session were administered by the respective course managers in their tutorial sessions during the annual residential intensive course in the main campus of the Universiti Sains Malaysia. The result indicated that mobile learning has helped them to pace their studies. By using mobile learning, learners easily get any information that they need at anytime anywhere. Learners would also like to take another mobile learning assisted course if the courses are relevant to their learning needs. Furthermore, the SMS educational content received through their hand phone are easily remembered.

Acceptance on Mobile Learning via SMS: A Rasch Model Analysis

This study investigated whether mobile learning via Short Message Service (SMS-learning) is accepted by the students enrolled in the distance learning academic programme in the Universiti Sains Malaysia. This study explored the impact of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and usability of the system to their acceptability. The survey was constructed using a questionnaire consisting of statements regarding the participantsâ?? demographics, experiences in and perception of using mobile learning via SMS, involving 105 students from management and sciences disciplines. The Rasch Model Analysis was used for measurement correspond to a 5 point Likert. Results indicated that the usability of the system contributed to be effectiveness in assisting the students with their study. Respondents agree that SMS-learning is easy, effective and useful to help them study. However, the results found that there has been a problem in mobile learning that less interaction with lecturers. It implies that the acceptability of students to this mode on communication and interaction is highly endorsed.

Computers in Distance Education: gender differences in self‐perceived computer competencies

Abstract This article reports on the gender differences in self‐perceived computer competencies among distance education learners at the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Four aspects of competencies that are related to computer usage and its applications were studied; these were competencies in the usage of general computer software, usage of networking software, handling of computer hardware and performing computer maintenance. The results showed that there are no significant differences between the genders in terms of the competencies in the usage of general computer software as well as networking software. These are directly linked to the educational purposes needed to support and facilitate learning in distance education. However, gender differences are observed regarding competencies in their handling of most aspects of computer hardware as well as performing computer maintenance.

Collaborative learning through teletutorials

Audio-graphic teleconferencing has been fully used in the delivery of teletutorials of all the courses offered via distance education at the Universiti Sains Malaysia. The teleconferencing sessions are delivered as part of an educational strategy of collaborative learning to provide quality educational interaction and an effective teaching-learning experience—thus enhancing the distanced communication. The elements of collaborative learning appeals to the adult learners and greatly assist in their intellectual growth and development, which in turn will benefit a developing country such as Malaysia.

Development of SMS Mobile Technology for M-Learning for Distance Learners

The evolution of technologies as well as Internet application has created new ways of communication which gives impact to all regions and sectors including educators and learners in Higher-Education Learning institutions in Malaysia. Virtual learning environments as well as e-learning applications are some of pedagogical mechanisms which may sound easy and quick to be applied but unfortunately they are rarely used. This research attempts to introduce m-Learning as â??Convenience Education

Mobile Learning Via SMS Among Distance Learners: Does Learning Transfer Occur?

The purpose of this study is to determine whether learners are willing to transfer learning in this mobile learning environment via SMS. The reason for this is to measure the effectiveness of the new method used in learning and education especially in distance education field. For this reason, studentsâ?? responses are gathered which looked at three factors namely learner characteristic, learning design and learning environment. The data are gathered through a survey research design with questionnaires using five-point likert scale. The questionnaires was administered for 105 distance education students from four courses including Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Social Science and Bachelor of Management. The Rasch Model Analysis was used to measure these dimensions. Rasch Model is a one-parameter logistic model within item response theory (IRT) whereby the amount of a given latent trait in a person and the amount of that same latent trait reflected in various items can be estimated independently yet still compared explicitly to one another. The result of the study showed that learning transfer occurred and being influenced most by learnerâ??s characteristics especially in term of their motivation as well as their perceive utility/value of the SMS learning to their job and academic performances.

Technical Appliance in E-Learning: Student’s Perception on the Usage of Online Learning

The purpose of this study was to gain insights into the students perception on the usage of technical appliances in online learning. The study was conducted in the Univer- siti Sains Malaysia (USM) based on the sample of 1084 dis- tance learners with the experiences of using the E-learning Portal in their distance education academic programme courses. The students were surveyed on the participation needs based on respondents personal background, such as age, gender, ethnic groups, education streams and year-of- study. The results showed even though most of the students felt uncertain about the technical appliances in the E- learning Portal, the study illustrated the true nature of the students perceptions with respect to the functionality and effectiveness of technical appliance in the E-learning Portal. This research is essential to elucidate the functions of tech- nical appliances in facilitating the process of learning through the portal.

The Video Conferencing Learning Environment in Distance Education: A Study of the Interaction Pattern

This article reports on the study undertaken to elucidate the pattern of interactions in the Video Conferencing Learning Environment (VCLE) used as a course delivery mechanism in distance learning. The study involved transcribing the recorded course delivery sessions conducted in the VCLE for three undergraduate Physics courses. The model of interaction used in this study was based on the Oliver & McLoughlin [5] interaction model consisting of five interactive dimensions, namely, the social, procedural, expository, explanatory and cognitive dimensions across five combinations of dialogue exchanges between teachers, students and the class as a whole. The results revealed that there were high frequencies of two-way exchanges between teachers and students in the expository, explanatory and cognitive interactive dimensions. The implication of these findings in terms of the quality of knowledge construction and high level student understanding of the course contents will be discussed and elaborated.

Simplistic is the Ingredient for Mobile Learning

This study explored the studentsâ?? acceptance of Mobile Learning via Short Message Service (SMS-Learning) amongst distance learners in the Universiti Sains Malaysia. This study aims to examine the studentâ??s acceptance towards the language use in SMS-Learning content, the cost of communicating and also the navigation of the system. The study employed the qualitative methodology where data were collected through questionnaire that was administered to 105 distance education students from Bachelor of Management, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Social Science and Bachelor of Art. The survey responses were tabulated in a 5-point Likert scale and analyzed using the Rasch Measurement Model. The results indicated that the simple language used in SMS-Learning was accepted by the respondents. By using the language precisely, it leads to high usability of SMS-Learning which will allow it to academically assist them in their study.