University Students’ Perceptions of Mobile Learning in Bangladesh

Abstract

With the increasing penetration and adoption of technology (MDs and tools) among University population particularly students, it rises a need by government (ministry of education) and University management to understand how these devices are impacting on education especially students’ learning. These devices and tools seem to have capabilities and features that would provide various benefits to students in their learning process. Therefore mobile devices would lead to a new modern method of teaching and learning known as mobile learning around many countries of the world. Bangladesh is one of the most populous countries in the world. This high population has led to various effects affecting the different sectors of the country like Health, service delivery and education. One of the effects is high levels of traffic which has hampered the smooth running of educational activities particularly teaching and learning activities. This is seen in terms of limited school infrastructure, difficult in accessing school facilities by both instructors and students. In turn this has led to low attendances of students at school. And this is not noticed as there are high numbers of students. Therefore there is need to find the means through which instructors and students could carry out their teaching and learning activities without these hindrances affecting them. This study suggests Technology usage (mobile devices) as a solution to address these challenges. This is expected to be success full as Bangladesh is one of the countries with high rates of mobile penetration. This study explored students’ perceptions towards mobile learning adoption and usage among University students in Bangladesh. A survey questionnaire was distributed and answered by 169 students from two universities in Dhaka region of Bangladesh. Statistical analyses using SPSS were conducted such as Reliability test (Cronbach alpha), descriptive analyses, relationship between variables, and regression analysis. Results showed that students were positive in terms of their perceptions towards mobile learning, there are ways in which students would use mobile devices for learning. Furthermore, there are motivational factors that encourage students towards both the perceptions and ways of using mobile learning. This study asserts that before adopting mobile leaning in Universities, it is important to first have the necessary right information needed from the right sources. Throughout the study it was discovered target population (students) are the right sources to provide information needed towards success full adoption of mobile leaning.