TEACHERS PERCEPTIONS OF IMPLEMENTING M-LEARNING USING PEDAGOGICAL APPROACHES

Mobile learning (m-learning) has begun its transition from focusing on technology devices to pedagogical approaches that guide the design, development, and implementation of teaching and learning. The trends in the literature have identified pedagogical approaches, professional development and instructional practices that have improved academic achievement with teachers abilities and perceptions as a contributing factor. However, a gap remains about the degree to which teachers effectively integrate and implement m-learning to make a significant impact on teaching and learning. To address this gap, this research was a causal comparative study examining two schools perceptions of implementing m-learning after receiving differing types of professional development. A survey created from an extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Mobile Learning Readiness Survey (MLRS) was delivered to K-8 teachers from two schools within a large urban school district. The participants included K-8 teachers (n = 39) who responded to 42 survey items consisting of demographics (i.e. age, years of experience, content area, grade level, educational degree, and stage of adopting technology), mobile learning readiness, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use in relation to mobile learning and mobile technologies. The research performed a MANOVA comparing and determining that there was a non-statistical significant difference between the two schools and dependent variables. The results found that there was a non-statistical significant difference in teachers perceptions of mobile learning readiness, usefulness, and ease of use when it comes to implementing m-learning and technologies. The participants tended to have higher perceptions of m-learning being able to provide new opportunities to deliver instruction, intentionally using mobile technology more frequently, and willingness to learn how to effectively implement m-learning. Based on the findings, teachers from both schools were ready to implement m-learning regardless of the type of professional development and pedagogical approaches, blended learning or traditional learning, being used. The results of this study provide evidence to educational administrators and teachers that equitable investments into planning structured and organized professional development could transform pedagogical beliefs to effectively implement m-learning and improve student academic performance

TEACHERS PERCEPTIONS OF IMPLEMENTING M-LEARNING USING PEDAGOGICAL APPROACHES

TEACHERS PERCEPTIONS OF IMPLEMENTING M-LEARNING USING PEDAGOGICAL APPROACHE

Transforming pre-service teacher curriculum: observation through a TPACK lens

This paper will discuss an international online collaborative learning experience through the lens of the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework. The teacher knowledge required to effectively provide transformative learning experiences for 21st century learners in a digital world is complex, situated and changing. The discussion looks beyond the opportunity for knowledge development of content, pedagogy and technology as components of TPACK towards the interaction between those three components. Implications for practice are also discussed. In today’s technology infused classrooms it is within the realms of teacher educators, practising teaching and pre-service teachers explore and address effective practices using technology to enhance learning

Teaching and learning in virtual worlds: is it worth the effort?

Educators have been quick to spot the enormous potential afforded by virtual worlds for situated and authentic learning, practising tasks with potentially serious consequences in the real world and for bringing geographically dispersed faculty and students together in the same space (Gee, 2007; Johnson and Levine, 2008). Though this potential has largely been realised, it generally isn’t without cost in terms of lack of institutional buy-in, steep learning curves for all participants, and lack of a sound theoretical framework to support learning activities (Campbell, 2009; Cheal, 2007; Kluge & Riley, 2008). This symposium will explore the affordances and issues associated with teaching and learning in virtual worlds, all the time considering the question: is it worth the effort

Mobile Learning Adoption: A perspective from a Form Six Students in Sabah, Malaysia

Despite the availability of studies on mobile learning adoption, its theoretical foundations have not yet matured. However, studies on mobile learning adoption in the context of form six student in Malaysia is still very limited. Against this concern, a study was conducted with the aim of investigating factors that could influence the adoption of mobile learning. Based on The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and two other variables which are Perceived Playfulness and Self-Directed Learning, an empirical structured has been developed to identify predictors of mobile learning. A self-administered questionnaire was adopted and a total of 314 responses were employed for the analysis, using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The findings of the analysis revealed that all key constructs (except social influence) affect mobile learning adoption among form six students. Besides that, Self-Directed Learning become the strongest predictor and followed by Effort Expectancy. These findings provide crucial implications for educators and practitioners to take individual characteristic (Self-Directed Learning) into consideration while promoting mobile learning. This study represents one of the few attempts to reveal the extended UTAUT model could be increased explanation power of technology acceptance by the users. Directions for future study are suggested at the end of the paper

Teacher Attitudes Toward Technology Integration in a One-to-One Mobile Device Middle-School Classroom

As the classroom climate transforms into a more technology-enhanced environment with increased device availability, there is a growing need to understand how attitudes among teachers may be influenced by the use of these devices in the classroom. Because of current technology trends, device integration is essential to meet education goals (Keengwe, Schnellert, & Mills, 2012). Research suggests that the use of mobile devices in the classroom along with the expectations for teachers to integrate these devices into their curriculum can have significant effects on attitudes and behaviors among teachers and therefore, should be studied (Sahin et al., 2017; Moore, 2016; Beeland, 2002; Christensen, 2002). This study attempted to examine the difference in teacher attitudes toward technology integration based on their use of either Chromebooks or iPads as mobile devices in a one-to-one integrated middle-school classroom. Using a quantitative, causal comparative design, participants were selected from a population of middle-school teachers at two Southeastern United States school districts. The sample size of participants was 115, of which 73 used Chromebooks and 42 used iPads. Data were analyzed using an independent-samples t-test to examine the relationship between attitude and mobile device used. Results of the survey showed that no significant difference existed in the attitude scores of teachers’ and the mobile device they used. Although the study did not find significance in the attitude scores, the data indicated that attitudes were mostly positive. Further research should be conducted to include a broader population, other grade levels, and other mobile devices. Studies that look at variables such as self-efficacy, training, and confidence, along with attitude should be researched

What Drives Students' Loyalty-Formation in Social Media Learning Within a Personal Learning Environment Approach? The Moderating Role of Need for Cognition

Our study analyzes an educational experience based on the integrated use of social media within a higher education course under a personal learning environment approach and investigates the factors that determine students' loyalty to social media learning. We examined the moderating role of need for cognition (NFC) in students' formation of attitudes, satisfaction, and loyalty toward this learning experience. The results indicate that NFC has an influence on these variables, significantly moderating how loyalty toward social media learning is formed. For high-NFC students, satisfaction with the learning experience is the most important variable to explain loyalty; whereas for low-NFC students, attitudes have a stronger effect. Different strategies are suggested, according to the learners' NFC levels, for increasing the use of social media in personal learning environments. Practical implications for improving the integration of such informal resources into formal education are discussed.Junta de Andalucía – Programa Andaluz de I + D P12 SEJ 259

E-EFL in the Saudi tertiary classroom

This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University LondonThis study explores how digital technologies have been introduced and used in a Saudi e-EFL Higher Education classroom and the degree to which this reflected self-efficacious and heutagogical learning. Despite recent educational reforms in Saudi, the limitations of the educational system make it ill-suited to the needs of the international job market, leaving Saudi graduates under-equipped in an increasingly globalised workforce. Therefore, this quantitative study collected from 41 teachers and 343 university students aims to identify the e-learning experiences of Saudi e-EFL teachers and learners in order to gauge the influence of e-learning integration on the desired progression to learner-centred learning. Additional qualitative data were collected from teachers to be discussed within quantitative data. The data were interpreted and factors influencing learning and teaching methods with digital technologies were analysed against demographic data. The findings revealed that e-EFL teachers are unable to understand how they use ICT technologies and the pedagogical approach they adopt to influence student learning and their capacity to work in a self-directed manner. The present study makes an important contribution to existing research as it provides vital insights for the Saudi educational community to integrate pedagogical transformations into the equation of educational reforms and practices. At a broader level, these insights provide an empirical basis for policymakers and researchers to turn their attention to an issue with the potential to derail important educational reforms aligned with the fulfilment of the Saudi’s 2030 Vision which aims to prepare a self-directed workforce for effective participation in national socio-economic development and in the global knowledge economy. Recommendations are made to integrate training in technology, pedagogy and content knowledge for teachers as they would benefit from a better understanding of epistemological, pedagogical and technical issues and skills to promote students’ heutagogical learning