scholarly journals Modeling Learners’ Readiness to Adopt Mobile Learning: A Perspective from a GCC Higher Education Institution

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Shorfuzzaman ◽  
Musaed Alhussein

Mobile learning (M-learning) has gained significant popularity in recent past due to the explosion of portable devices and the availability of the Internet. The use of this specific technology in learning and training has enriched the success stories of next generation mobile information systems. While M-learning is being widely used in developed countries such as the USA, South Korea, Japan, UK, Singapore, Taiwan, and European Union, most of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are lagging behind and facing diversified challenges in adopting M-learning. Thus, investigating learners’ readiness to adopt M-learning in higher education institution in the context of GCC is the focus of this paper. To this end, we introduce a hypothesized model to investigate learners’ readiness to adopt M-learning. The empirical study is conducted by analyzing data collected from participants from a GCC university using a survey questionnaire with the help of statistical tools. The results of the study will be valuable for policy-makers in designing comprehensive M-learning systems in the context of GCC. The implication of the study results on the next generation mobile information system is also discussed with future research directions.

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Nur Zihan Abd Rashid ◽  
Tuan Nur Athirah Nabilah Tuan Ismail ◽  
Bibianah Thomas

Service quality is a very crucial element in ensuring the competitiveness of various institutions. By having a good service quality, the reputation of the organization will enhance and thus become their added competitive advantage. In higher education institution, service quality is important to ensure the students whom are their primary stakeholders are able to have a good learning experience in which will then influence their satisfaction. The primary objective of this paper is to analyze the correlation between five elements in SERVQUAL dimensions (tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy) and the student satisfaction. The questionnaires were distributed among the students in various faculties in UiTM Sabah by using convenience sampling technique and 250 questionnaires were managed to be collected for analysis. Overall, the result shows that the students are satisfied with service quality in UiTM Sabah. Specifically, all five SERVQUAL dimensions correlate with student satisfaction. Reliability, responsiveness and empathy dimensions have strong correlation with student satisfaction. Meanwhile, both tangibility and assurance have moderate correlation with student satisfaction. This study is hoped to contribute towards the new knowledge in the field of service quality especially in higher education institutions Future research is also proposed at the final section of this study to discover new findings from different perspectives of service quality. Keywords: servqual; students’ satisfaction; service quality; higher education institution; service delivery.


2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (2/3) ◽  
pp. 97-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandros Chrysikos ◽  
Ejaz Ahmed ◽  
Rupert Ward

Purpose Retention is one of the key performance indicators in university quality assurance processes. The purpose of this paper is to identify the causes leading to low retention rates for first-year undergraduate computing students in a UK higher education institution (HEI). Design/methodology/approach The study applies Tinto’s student integration theory, and connects it with the behavioural patterns of students. Data were collected from 901 students using Pascarella and Terenzini’s questionnaire (integration scales). This data were combined with student enrolment information and analysed using the structural equation modelling technique. Findings The study results indicate that Tinto’s student integration theory is useful in analysing student retention, but this accounts for only a modest amount of variance in retention. Nevertheless, important relationships amongst student’s initial and later academic goals and commitments have been identified through this new approach to analysing retention. The largest direct effect on retention was accounted for by initial goals and institutional commitments, followed by later goals and institutional commitments. In addition, the results show that academic and social integration constructs can have an influence on the student retention processes. When all, or some, of these relationships are operating towards students’ benefits, appropriate services or programmes, such as student support systems, can have their maximum benefits. Originality/value The authors mapped behavioural-related retention factors using a learning community lens. The study explored students’ social and learning experiences within the context of a UK HEI by employing Tinto’s model. This is the first time the model has been tested in this context.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. e16410413947
Author(s):  
José Francisco dos Reis Neto ◽  
Celso Correia de Souza ◽  
Taner Douglas Alves Bitencourt ◽  
Cristiano Miranda Cupertino ◽  
Patrício Lauro de Melo Neto ◽  
...  

This article brings within two purposes. First it validated the scale of the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) and then analyzed the ecocentrist and anthropocentric attitudes of university students from a Brazilian higher education institution. The original NPE scale of 15 items was used, in the form of a questionnaire and applied in a sample of 241 university students. Before the self-completion of the questionnaires, the university students did not receive the basic concepts of environmental attitudes. Confirmatory factor analysis techniques were used to test the structural model and statistical procedures to describe the sample as to its properties of similarities between the groups of students. The NEP was reduced to 13 items, proving to be reliable and valid to investigate structured and multidimensional environmental attitudes of university students. When analyzing the segmentation of university students, it was identified that women presented a more intense ecocentrist attitude than men. For the other segmentation groups in relation to age range, area of knowledge, semester in progress and course period, they did not present statistically significant differences. However, overall, the scores of university students indicated more ecocentrist than anthropocentrist attitudes. The convenience sample of part of the courses offered by the higher education institution may cause a bias in the research, considering as a limitation of this study. However, with the confirmation of the two-factor model, the results indicate consistency and guide future research to activities related to the environment, such as sustainable tourism, preservation against environmental impacts, among others.


Author(s):  
Fawaz Dheem Al-Rasheedi

The study aimed at finding out the reality of the organizational creativity among administrators in Kuwaiti Higher Education Institution in light of contemporary global trends, the survey method was used, and the questionnaire was the study tool, the study sample consisting of (185) Administrative, the study results showed that the degree of appreciation and the reality of the organizational creativity among administrators in Kuwaiti Higher Education Institution in light of contemporary global trends from the standpoint of the study sample was a fair degree at an average score(3.35 From 5), the affiliation field came first, It is followed by the use of information technology, Hence strategic planning, encouraging creativity and development, The researchers recommend the need to pay attention to the creation of the creative process in higher education institutions by encouraging workers to think creatively and adopt creative ideas.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Donnie Adams ◽  
Mabel Hwee Joo Tan ◽  
Bambang Sumintono

Purpose Teaching and learning are being transformed by digital technology, where the present generation of students, termed millennials, are more adept with the increasingly digitalised world we live in. Following this, lecturers and institutions are adapting and adopting a blended learning model across disciplines, which now commands an entire domain of research and application. However, questions remain about how ready students are for a blended learning model of instruction. The purpose of this study is to investigate students’ readiness for blended learning in a leading Malaysian private higher education institution. Design/methodology/approach This study used a non-experimental quantitative research design. Data were gathered from a sample of 274 pre-university and undergraduate students using the blended learning readiness engagement questionnaire. Data was analysed using WINSTEPS Rasch model measurement software to determine the validity and reliability of the instrument. Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) scores, (logit) value of the item and (logit) value of a person was used to examine students’ readiness for a blended learning model of instruction and specifically assess their readiness based on gender, age, ethnicity and field of study. Findings Findings indicate that students were ready for blended learning. Further analysis indicated there were differences in students’ readiness for blended learning based on gender, age, ethnicity and field of study. Originality/value This study provides insight into students’ readiness towards blended learning in a leading Malaysian private higher education institution, discusses implications for blended learning practices and offers recommendations for future research.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 312-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cory Jensen ◽  
Mohamed Kotaish ◽  
Aditi Chopra ◽  
Kiran A. Jacob ◽  
Taqdees I. Widekar ◽  
...  

This invited writing shares the education methodology known as Wicked problem, Experiences, Available Resources, Solution-Innovation (WEARS) and results from applying a pilot education program with a group of international students. The pilot involved three components that contribute to enhancing leadership skills based on stakeholder informed or bottom-up change: 1) developing a professional competition, 2) proposing a WEARS project, and 3) initiating a related outreach event. Outlines of student projects are shared. Students’ interests in generalized sustainability related education topics were polled and results are presented as an average of the group. Reflection on conducting the pilot is also presented from an exploratory action research perspective. Potential translation to higher education sustainability related projects was a driver for action research. Several conclusions are shared related to the educational structure and content for application of the WEARS methodology at a higher education institution. Future research and iterations of the program are proposed in coordination with a higher education institution that promotes interdisciplinary education. Specifically, means to select program candidates and longitudinal study of overall impacts are proposed as necessary to continuously update the WEARS methodology.


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