Mobile Learning: From single project status into the mainstream?
Dr. Olaf Zawacki-Richter [olaf.zawacki-richter@fernuni-hagen.de]
(corresponding author)
Professor of Educational Technology,
Fern Universität in Hagen (Germany)
Adjunct Associate Professor,
University of Maryland University College (USA)
Dr. Tom Brown [tom.brown@mgi.ac.za]
Principal and General Manager,
Midrand Graduate Institute (South Africa)
Dr. Rhena Delport [rhena.delport@up.ac.za]
Associate Professor,
University of Pretoria,
Faculty of Health Sciences (South Africa)
Abstract
During recent years, many distance teaching as well as residential institutions have started to experiment with mobile learning through pilot projects as part of their e-learning and technology enhanced learning environments. The practical experience gained with the employment of strategies and approaches within distance education can assist with the conceptualisation of mobile learning as well as the development of applications for this new learning medium. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) – especially mobile devices – open up new paths for learning support and opportunities to reach a wider audience for (higher) education. However, will mobile learning bring about a paradigm shift in distance education? Or is it perhaps a new generation of distance education? Does it afford new opportunities for teaching and learning in terms of access and flexibility? This paper reports on an international survey that was conducted amongst distance educators in order to explore these questions.
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