The impact of mobile devices for learning in higher education institutions : Nigerian universities case study

Mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets are becoming increasing popular among students, setting out a new way to communicate, collaborate and learn. The use of portable devices has the capability to inspire new approaches to learning. It is therefore important to examine the students’ viewpoints about the educational use of mobile technology in supporting the learning process. The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of mobile devices for learning purposes by exploring the kinds of interactions that students in Nigerian universities have with their portable gadgets. A sample of 240 higher education students participated in the study by completing the researchers’ questionnaire. The results of the study indicate the students use their portable devices to exchange education-related messages and academic files with classmates, search the internet and library databases for academic materials, practice online quizzes or tests and hold discussions with classmates among others. The statistical analyses result show that there is no significant difference in the students’ use of mobile devices based on gender

Discovering students mobile learning experiences in higher education in Nigeria

M-learning plays a progressively significant role in the advancement of teaching and learning in higher education. However, the effective implementation of m-learning in higher education will be based on users’ experiences and motivation to use this technology. Though m-learning has become global, developing countries such as Nigeria are yet to enjoy the full potential offered by m-learning. This study is focused on ascertaining students’ experiences with m-learning, determining the influence of m-learning on students’ motivations and interests, and identifying factors that are limiting m-learning adoption in Nigeria. We investigated these experiences by analysing questionnaires collected from undergraduate and postgraduate students of six universities in Nigeria. The results from our study show that the students own and use diverse mobile devices to engage in educational activities and other social networking purposes. Some of these learning activities are sending SMS messages, playing educational games, social learning, reading e-books/pdfs, and completing assignments and quizzes. Students expressed their satisfaction with m-learning especially for supporting them to learn anywhere, anytime. They further confirmed that m-learning motivates, interests, and inspires every aspect of learning. Furthermore, the students acknowledges that the interactivity, flexibility, convenience and engagement of m-learning were authentic learning experiences

Application of information and communication technology for internationalization of Nigerian small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises

Information and communication technology (ICT) has fundamentally transformed business transactions. While its uses have become ubiquitous in the advanced economies, emerging and developing economies are still struggling with the mode and manner of the deployment of ICT for business. Thus, this study seeks to investigate how small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) utilize ICT in Nigeria for business internationalization. To achieve the goal of the study, a mixed‐method was employed. A questionnaire was administered to 265 people consisting of SMEs staff, managers, and owners. Similarly, interviews were conducted with seven SME decision makers. Findings revealed that Nigerian SMEs used ICT tools, such as websites and social media platforms, for internationalization. The findings also revealed that the challenges of ICT did not affect its application by these SMEs, which contrasts with many previous studies. Furthermore, this study identified privacy concerns, internet problems, cyber insecurity, trust, and system anxiety as new challenges facing the application of ICT tools by SMEs. Similarly, the findings showed that lack of ICT competence and strategic focus of ICT applications are internal problems facing Nigerian SMEs. These findings provide insight for practitioners and academia on the internationalization of Nigeria SMEs and the application of ICT to promote business growth.</p

Social Media: Computing Education Perspectives in Diverse Educational Contexts

The academic world has experienced rapid growth in the adoption of social media that can constructively complement traditional education and even replace it in distance/online learning. Social media is used in many institutions for educational purposes in numerous innovative ways, even to the extent of being utilized in traditional face-to-face classrooms. A wealth of academic research has been published related to social media in education. The purpose of this special issue is to highlight research studies of social media in computing education, with the aim to discuss research findings, share good practices and practical experiences, and address the challenges of using social media in computing education. The special issue focuses on how social media in computing education is being used to transform teaching and learning practices in various educational contexts and settings. Additionally, the special issue covers a wide range of aspects related to the use of social media in computing education, such as the adoption of social media in instructional activities, the applicability of different social media tools in computing education, pedagogical frameworks, theoretical approaches, managerial perspectives, and possible ethical issues. An overview of the special issue papers is presented, exemplifying the importance of social media from a computing education perspective in a diverse educational context

Exploring the trends of educational virtual reality games: a systematic review of empirical studies

Virtual Reality (VR) and educational games are emerging technologies mediating a rapid transformation in the educational world. However, few studies have systematically analyzed Educational Virtual Reality Games (EVRGs) and how they have been applied in educational settings. This study reviewed 31 articles published in high impact journals and educational conference proceedings to unravel the technological, pedagogical, and gaming characteristics of contemporary EVRGs. The results show the predominance of Oculus Rift headsets and HTC Vive as the main technology used in EVRGs. Moreover, the analysis revealed that the pedagogical application of the majority of EVRGs was developed for all levels of education (e.g. tertiary, K-12, lifelong learning), with the specific target audience of each game based on the desired learning outcome. Furthermore, the application of EVRGs has primarily focused on out of class use, with healthcare education topics dominating the topics taught using EVRGs. Based on our findings, we highlight some key implications and suggestions to advance the field of EVRGs

Do teamwork experience and self-regulated learning determine the performance of students in an online educational technology course?

Abstract This study uses the quantitative research approach to examine the connection between students’ teamwork experience, self-regulated learning, technology self-efficacy, and performance in an online educational technology course. Sixty-three (63) students participated in this study. The study data were collected through an online questionnaire that included background information, course satisfaction, motivation strategies for learning, and online technology self-efficacy, to study the variables’ interactions using quantitative research. To realize this study’s aims, multivariate regression and correlation approaches were employed to analyze the online students’ data. The multivariate regression analysis results show a relationship between self-regulated learning, the online course level, and the number of online courses that the students have completed. Right self-regulated learning strategies in online courses motivate students to strive for a good teamwork experience, leading to increased interest in online learning. In addition, the results also show that there is a relationship between satisfaction and the level of the online course. Achieving good grades makes the student more satisfied and improves the level of technology use. Finally, this study established a relationship between the students’ motivation and the online course level. Therefore, teachers and course designers should implement learning objects that promote students’ engagement and motivation in online learning environments

Application of information and communication technology for internationalization of Nigerian small- and medium-sized enterprises

Information and communication technology (ICT) has fundamentally transformed business transactions. While its uses have become ubiquitous in the advanced economies, emerging and developing economies are still struggling with the mode and manner of the deployment of ICT for business. Thus, this study seeks to investigate how small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) utilize ICT in Nigeria for business internationalization. To achieve the goal of the study, a mixed‐method was employed. A questionnaire was administered to 265 people consisting of SMEs staff, managers, and owners. Similarly, interviews were conducted with seven SME decision makers. Findings revealed that Nigerian SMEs used ICT tools, such as websites and social media platforms, for internationalization. The findings also revealed that the challenges of ICT did not affect its application by these SMEs, which contrasts with many previous studies. Furthermore, this study identified privacy concerns, internet problems, cyber insecurity, trust, and system anxiety as new challenges facing the application of ICT tools by SMEs. Similarly, the findings showed that lack of ICT competence and strategic focus of ICT applications are internal problems facing Nigerian SMEs. These findings provide insight for practitioners and academia on the internationalization of Nigeria SMEs and the application of ICT to promote business growth.peerReviewe

Is online distance learning compatible with student lifestyle?:assessment of program content, workload and long-time usefulness

Abstract Online distance learning (ODL) is gaining rapid acceptance in the educational system, and the level of student enrollment is massive nowadays. Although the adoption of online distance learning seems to be influencing students learning experience, the aspect of compatibility with the student lifestyle remains unclear and needs further research. This study employed a quantitative methodology to describe the relationship between the chosen independent and dependent variables adapted from the existing literature objectively and used structural equation modelling with SmartPLS for the data analysis. This study contributes to the literature on online distance learning and information systems. It gives a comprehensive understanding of how program content positively relates to online academic workload and how the long-time usefulness of online distance learning relates to the workload of online distance learning for the ODL students’ lifestyle. This insight shows the importance of program content as a determinant of workload. It also shows how the memory of the long-time usefulness aids the workload of the ODL. The study explains the theoretical contributions, implications and suggests future research

Social media usage for computing education:the effect of tie strength and group communication on perceived learning outcome

Abstract Social media has become an important platform where users share, comment, discuss, communicate, interact, and play games. Aside from using social media for personal, social, and business purposes, the use of social media has gained attention, particularly for collaborative learning in the educational sector. This paper examines the role of social media in computing education based on the use of WhatsApp social media group. Additionally, the study explores how social media usage by students influences their perceived learning outcomes. Given these aims, the study formulated four research hypotheses and tested using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling. With the participants of three hundred and thirteen (n=313) students, the study found a positive relationship between social media usage for computing education and perceived learning outcomes. In addition, the study found a linear relationship between communication ingroup and perceived learning outcomes. Finally, the study revealed that social media positively relates to tie strength, and that tie strength influences in-group communication