Advancing Collaboration between M-Learning Researchers and Practitioners through an Online Portal and Web 2.0 Technologies

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurel Evelyn Dyson ◽  
Andrew Litchfield

With growing interest in mobile learning to address the educational requirements of a generation of students who have grown up with digital technology, and given the widespread adoption of mobile devices by indigenous people and in developing countries, there is a need for improved practice and better theoretical understanding of m-learning. This could be achieved through a more accessible body of knowledge of m-learning principles, teaching strategies and case-studies. This paper proposes the establishment of an online portal to influence and support good m-learning practice. An m-learning portal, incorporating a range of online, Web 2.0 and mobile technologies, would foster collaboration between researchers and educators and inform emerging national and international approaches using mobile technologies at all levels of the education sector and across all disciplines.

Author(s):  
Laurel Evelyn Dyson ◽  
Andrew Litchfield

With growing interest in mobile learning to address the educational requirements of a generation of students who have grown up with digital technology, and given the widespread adoption of mobile devices by indigenous people and in developing countries, there is a need for improved practice and better theoretical understanding of m-learning. This could be achieved through a more accessible body of knowledge of m-learning principles, teaching strategies and case-studies. This paper proposes the establishment of an online portal to influence and support good m-learning practice. An m-learning portal, incorporating a range of online, Web 2.0 and mobile technologies, would foster collaboration between researchers and educators and inform emerging national and international approaches using mobile technologies at all levels of the education sector and across all disciplines.


2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arul Chib

The mHealth field understandably arose from a base of practice, developed a nascent, yet ever-expanding, body of inter-disciplinary scholarship, and currently hopes for recognition by, and establishment on, national and trans-national policy bodies and agendas respectively. However, to justify public investment, policymakers require a body of theoretically sound, methodologically rigorous, and generalizable, evidence on how mobile technologies can effectively improve basic healthcare service delivery for hard-to-reach, resource-poor populations in developing countries. This essay draws upon prior work, ranging from a review article, an mHealth intervention for Indonesian healthcare workers within the medical infrastructure, to a text-messaging project in Uganda focused on beneficiaries. The argument is organized around theoretical, methodological, and sustainability issues, and proposes suggestions for how the discipline of mobile communication studies can add value to the field of mHealth research in developing countries.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rumen Hristov

Low levels of listening comprehension skills in English is observed in many students. As a specific method, which can both cover mobile technologies and combine them with training, is the application of technology for podcasting and vidcasting/vodkasting. Podcasts and podcasts can provide authentic, up-to-date and easily accessible material, making them extremely useful when learning foreign languages. Their application makes learning freer and independent by introducing more interesting elements; gives greater freedom and independence to participants in the lesson. Students can listen to the material on the bus or while going to the gym.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadjat Khenioui

Ubiquitous learning, also known as U-learning, refers to the learner’s ability to learn at any place at any time. This paper argues that U-learning represents a new perspective in terms of pedagogy. The main contributor to this process is foremost the teacher, who has to adhere to the ever-changing language learning/teaching scenery. This study aims at setting the fundamentals of materials development at the intersection of two major areas of contemporary education, namely the needs of the ‘net generation’ students and the educational potential of the evolving social web and digital technology. It seeks to answer the following questions: What is digital technology and how does it lead to U-learning? What is web 2.0 and how does it affect classroom pedagogy, practice, and the design of quality teaching/learning materials? How does it help teachers improve their practice and materials development procedures? And how can teachers transform today’s innovative technology into ubiquitous learning experiences, promoting learner autonomy, regardless of any geographical or institutional boundaries? We will illustrate the whole procedure with a framework for web 2.0 integration that identifies the crucial features underpinning the extramural, ubiquitous learning experiences, in which learners can engage.


Author(s):  
Bibi Eshrat Zamani ◽  
Azam Esfijani ◽  
Sayed Majid Abdellahi Damaneh

Although higher education systems in developing countries such as Iran have embraced the online education approach, they are confronted with significant challenges in this transition, one of which is lack of instructors' participation in online teaching. Therefore, this research is aimed at exploring barriers and influential factors for this lack of participation. The researchers developed their theoretical framework based on a thorough review of the existing body of knowledge while considering the cultural features of Iran as a developing country. A tailored questionnaire asking about the existence of three groups of barriers, namely personal, attitudinal and contextual inhibitors, was distributed among all faculty members who were candidates for delivering online courses in one of the top universities in the country. Data was analysed using the descriptive and inferential tests of Friedman, <em>t</em>-Test and ANOVA. The results were in line with research findings in other developing countries in which the contextual barriers had the most inhibition effect against faculty members’ participation in online teaching. Certain cultural barriers also are highlighted by participants, pertaining to the context of Iranian online education systems.


Author(s):  
Agus Mutohar ◽  
Joan E. Hughes

Numerous efforts have been made to reform education to address globalization both in developed and developing countries. The integration of technology in education has been one vital reform effort in developing countries to prepare graduates for 21st century workplaces, which are digitally robust. Web 2.0 technologies are becoming prominent educational and workplace tools. This literature review of Indonesian government policies, NGO initiative reports, and contemporary research explores the integration of Web 2.0 in Indonesian education using an ecological perspective by introducing the Indonesian national educational policy and laws, describing national and non-government organizations’ initiatives focused on Web 2.0 integration, identifying salient national and local challenges preventing Web 2.0 integration, and proposing strategies for future planning and research. Challenges identified include lack of technological facilities, an absence of technology standards in education, a standardized testing culture, lack of coordination between government levels (national to local), lack of professional development, and a need for strong school technology leadership. The authors recommend Indonesia engage in comprehensive, visionary planning for Web 2.0 integration with strategies to meet local needs, invest in professional development and technology specialist positions, and advance mobile Web 2.0 computing and BYOT/D initiatives. Future research could examine how ecological factors at the national, provincial, and local levels coordinate to best establish Web 2.0 integration in education at the school level.


Author(s):  
Yfantis Vasileios ◽  
Abel Usoro ◽  
Tseles Dimitrios

This chapter explores the potential of Web 2.0 utilization in developing countries through the concept of e-government. Successful implementation of the Web 2.0 concept has to combine both technological and human factors. Thus, this chapter proposes a conceptual model that will measure e-government 2.0 readiness. The conceptual model is based on a combination of the Technology Acceptance Model, Theory of Planned Behavior, and indexes from the United Nation’s database. South Sudan is used at the end as a brief case study of the potential of e-Government 2.0. Future research should validate the empirical model. Meanwhile, the implications of the model are presented.


Author(s):  
Zaigham Mahmood

Cloud Computing is an attractive paradigm for organisations that have a requirement to process large scalable distributed applications. It allows for self-provisioning of cloud resources to develop and host applications as well as acquire storage and networking resources. Connected Government (c-government) is an area where cloud technologies can be effectively used to achieve the benefits that the cloud paradigm promises. Social Media, Web 2.0 and mobile technologies can all help to further enhance the connected government capabilities. Using such technologies, governments and citizens can engage in real time in the electronic participation of a government's functioning. In this chapter, we introduce the cloud paradigm and then discussing the requirements of c-government, we outline how cloud technologies can help to achieve an open and transparent c-government. The aim is to provide the basics of relationship between c-government and cloud computing to set the scene for other contributions in this volume.


Author(s):  
Peggy Semingson

This chapter explores changing definitions of literacy that build on the key concepts of New Literacies and existing Web 2.0 practices such as blogging, social networking, and other shared and collaborative media spaces (Davies & Merchant, 2009). The chapter also describes concrete examples of mobile-based literacy ideas that build on such a framework. The focus on teacher education, and literacy education in particular, examines and considers new definitions of literacy practices with connections to mobile technologies. Although mobile technologies offer possibilities for multi-modal and collaborative literacy practices, it is suggested that we should also stay grounded in some of the principles of print literacies (the prerequisite skills of the reading and writing processes), while also fostering Web 2.0 and New Literacies (as defined and discussed by Lankshear & Knobel, 2003, 2006). Specific examples of Web 2.0 technologies that can be implemented with mobile tools are shared and discussed.


2013 ◽  
pp. 1134-1151
Author(s):  
Thomas Ryberg ◽  
Lone Dirckinck-Holmfeld ◽  
Chris Jones

In this chapter, the authors explore perspectives on the notion of “digital natives” and present a case in which Web 2.0 technologies were introduced to students. They discuss studies critical of the generational metaphor, and argue that it should not be uncritically assumed that there is a generation of digital natives, but that young people may need to develop skills often associated with the digital natives. The authors present a case reflecting these pedagogical aims, involving an online Web 2.0 learning environment called Ekademia. The findings of the case reflect a gap between the researchers’ intentions and the actual outcomes. In particular, the learning environment failed to provide sufficient scaffolding for the students, who needed more support than was assumed. It is therefore suggested that educational use of social software technologies should have stronger connections to curricular activities, involve a more concerted pedagogical effort, and be supported by a higher degree of institutionalization.


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