Internet Technology and its Application in Competence Development of Highly Educated Staff

This chapter discusses how Internet technology can be used as a distant learning means for individual competence development of highly educated staff. By formulating clear perspectives on competencies, competence development, and transfer, it is argued that Internet technology can only partly be used as a means for competence development. Furthermore, hopes are expressed that by understanding the assumptions underlying competencies, competence development, and transfer, researchers and practitioners find themselves invited to develop varied and effective ways to apply Internet technology in highly educated staff learning processes.

Evaluation of Mobile Learning Project at the UAE University

The relentless expansion of information technology in educational institutions is widely acknowledged. There is substantial evidence that technology enhances student learning and educational outcomes. Many colleges and universities have adapted technology in their education system. The college of Engineering at the United Arab Emirates University launched its IT-based active learning (Laptop) project at the first semester of the academic year 2002-2003. After several years of implementation, the college is reviewing its course development technology strategy and is asking a very important question, “Did our investment in technology result in enhanced learning outcomes and promote the new, learner-centered pedagogy, or did it have little impact on learning?” The work presented in this chapter highlights the main outcomes and conclusions of a survey study, which was developed to answer the raised question. Many lessons have been learned about the benefits and difficulties in being a laptop college. These lessons are documented in this chapter.

Leveraging Asynchronous Online Instruction to Develop Elementary School Mathematics Teacher-Leaders

This chapter describes how the author leveraged asynchronous online instruction to develop elementary school teacher-leaders' knowledge of elementary school mathematics content and pedagogies in a graduate program in the United States. This chapter provides the theoretical framework of learner-centered professional development and explains how the six courses in the program embody the framework and support teachers' development of knowledge and skills related to mathematics teaching and learning. This chapter also shares the findings of a study that evaluated teacher-leaders performance on five student-learning outcomes in the program as well as feedback on course evaluations and end-of-program surveys. Data analysis indicated that every teacher-leader demonstrated proficiency on each student-learning outcome. Implications for the design of asynchronous online programs are also shared.

A Comparative Study of Business and Engineering Students' Attitude to Mobile Technologies in Distance Learning

Mobile technologies are widely employed in distance learning in higher education to provide students with an opportunity to learn regardless of time and place in order to obtain a higher education degree. However, little attention has been paid to a comparative study of business and engineering students' attitudes toward mobile technologies. The aim of the chapter is to compare business and engineering students' attitudes toward mobile technologies in distance learning, underpinning elaboration of a hypothesis. The meanings of the key concepts of distance learning, blended learning, and attitude are studied. Moreover, the study demonstrates how the key concepts are related to the idea of mobile technologies and shows how the steps of the process are related: students' attitudes toward mobile technologies in distance learning? empirical study within multicultural environments ? conclusions. The results of the present research show that both business and engineering students' attitudes toward mobile technologies are positive.

The Role of Internet Technology in Higher Education

This chapter introduces the perspective of complex responsive systems for organizational and individual learning. It also discusses how these systems may profit from the use of Internet Technology. Using Herbert Mead's perspective on interactions and learning, the authors discuss the theory of complex responsive systems as learning systems. They also elaborate on the implications of this perspective for the use of Internet Technology as a driver for individual and organizational learning.

M-Learning in the Middle East

The introduction of e-learning in higher education has brought radical changes in the way undergraduate and postgraduate programmes are designed and delivered. University students now have access to their courses anytime, anywhere, which makes e-learning and m-learning popular and fashionable among university students globally. Nevertheless, instructors are now challenged, as they have to adopt new pedagogies in learning and teaching. This chapter explores the adoption of m-learning at universities in the Kingdom of Bahrain, as well as the relevant current developments and challenges related to the major stakeholders (educators and students) in higher education. It mainly investigates the educators' views and perceptions of m-learning, as well as its future potential in higher education. Most of the educators use m-learning tools to some limited extent, and there is still opportunity to reach full integration with curriculum and the blended learning approach. Further, it is proposed that professional development should be provided to instructors to enable them to use the available new technologies in an appropriate and effective way.

Using iPads in University Mathematics Classes

This chapter reports on two studies carried out with first-year undergraduate students in Mathematics classes. The first study investigates regular use of iPads over the course of one semester. Overall, the students reported positive impressions regarding the use of iPads in their Mathematics classes. However, only 47% stated that they would join an iPad class in future semesters. The second study is a qualitative follow-up to the first to find out why the majority said they would not join an iPad class in the future. The students in the two studies could see both the value and the drawbacks that the use of iPads in their Mathematics classes would provide. The findings suggest that as supplement to instruction the use of iPads has the potential to enhance the learning process, but classes delivered using iPads only would not meet the educational requirements or expectations of the study's participants.

Mobile Wireless Technologies Application in Education

This chapter brings the reader's attention to understanding how technologies are aiding education with a focus on mobile technologies. In the early sections of this chapter, mobile technologies are explained briefly along with their significance to education. Implications for all involved in the education process using these technologies are then discussed. A pedagogical framework for mobile learning is then introduced along with standard theories commonly used, such as the transactional distance theory. Technological limitations and considerations are discussed to highlight future measures when designing these technologies specifically for educational purposes. Examples of mobile technology implementations in current education stages are then presented, such as mobile technology uses in higher education along with technologies used for early learners. Finally, the main objective of this chapter is presented to discuss the future of mobile technologies thoroughly, including assumptions of how these technologies will be part of everyday life for future learners.

Factors Influencing Behavior of Selecting Touch Screen Mobile Phones

The main aim of this chapter is to examine the influence of factors affecting the behavioural intention of customers. In this chapter, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and social influence are considered as predictors while behavioral intention is employed as dependent variable. A total of 260 participants were involved in this study. The participants were selected through non-probability sampling technique, namely Snow Ball. In order to achieve the objective of this study, three research hypotheses were constructed. The proposed hypotheses were tested by using multiple regression analysis. The findings demonstrate that three hypotheses are supported. The findings show that three factors are playing a significant role in developing the behavioral intention. This study will be a millstone for the potential researchers.

Mobile Education Mitigating the Heavy Magnitude of Illiteracy in India

This chapter introduces the concept of mobile learning as a means of portable learning. Through the use of mobile technology, citizens of the world will be able to access learning materials and information from anywhere and at any time. Learners will not have to wait for a certain time to learn or go to a certain place to learn. It presents the evolution of classroom learning to mobile learning. There has been made an effort to explore current perspectives of mobile learning. Approaches of m-learning suggest implication of mobile devices in the classroom. Pedagogical methods and instructional approaches of m-learning have also been explored in this chapter. Further, the authors make an attempt to give rational of mobile learning through various theories of m-learning. It suggests opportunities of mobile learning in the Indian scenario. Mobile learning can effectively support a wide range of activities for learners of all ages.