Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List

Full text release has been delayed at the author's request until June 01, 2024

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

International Students Perceptions of M-learning in Higher Education

Alsowail , Shouq Sowail
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2686-6668
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1553088747161738

Abstract Details

2019, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, Instructional Technology (Education).
The aim of mobile learning (M-learning) is to overcome traditional constrictions of education such as the place and the time at which learning occurs. M-learning has been investigated in many areas; however, the impact of M-learning on graduate international students and their experiences have not yet been investigated. The research aims to answer the following questions: 1) What are the international students’ perceptions of M-learning in Instructional Technology program; 2) What are the international students perceived benefits and challenges of M-learning while using this method in their courses; and 3) How do participants describe their use of M-learning? To answer these questions, a modified version of the UTAUT2 model was used to analyze interview data from eight international student participants who at the time of the study were enrolled in a post-graduate instructional technology (IT) program. The UTAUT2 model was used to analyze adoption rate and usage M-learning among specific populations by investigating how performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE), and social influence (SI) determine behavioral intention (BI) to integrate. Data from the interviews were analyzed by using thematic analysis to identify relationships and patterns. The researcher developed narrative stories for each of the interviews to discover the overarching ideas. Identifying the key themes led to discovery of relationships, patterns and ideas to answer the research questions and to add to wider discussion on M-learning in the international student community in the United States. Findings suggest that M-learning may help increase learning productivity and academic gains. M-learning is convenient due to accessibility and usability and is becoming more ubiquitous in the informal learning setting. Participants indicated that they are likely to implement a hybrid model of face-to-face and M-learning techniques and tools in their teaching practice because it helps increase interaction, collaboration and personalization. Indeed, there are many opportunities and benefits presented by M-learning; however, there are still some apparent challenges, including issues with adequate infrastructure to support new technologies, security concerns, costs of acquiring the new technologies, concerns that the use of smartphones will distract students, among others. Overall, the outcome of this research suggests that M-learning is likely to increase learning productivity and collaboration among international students. While the outcomes of the research were successful, there were some small setbacks that occurred, including one participant dropout at the start of the study. Despite this, there was adequate interview data to reach saturation. Further, there were some minor issues with transcribing the interview data as some words were mis-transcribed. As such, greater care and attention in reading the transcribed interviews was required of the researcher and the readers.
Greg Kessler (Committee Chair)
Krisanna Machtmes (Committee Member)
Danielle Dani (Committee Member)
Min Lun Wu (Committee Member)
191 p.
Education; Educational Technology; Instructional Design; Social Studies Education
Mobile learning; Mlearning; Instructional Technology; UTAUT2; PhD students; Higher Education; Mobility of technology; Mobility of learning; Mobility of learners; International students; Perception; Elearning; Educational Studies; Educational Technology

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Alsowail , S. S. (2019). International Students Perceptions of M-learning in Higher Education [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1553088747161738

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Alsowail , Shouq. International Students Perceptions of M-learning in Higher Education. 2019. Ohio University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1553088747161738.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Alsowail , Shouq. "International Students Perceptions of M-learning in Higher Education." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1553088747161738

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1553088747161738
© 2019, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.