Reflection of using Smart Mobile Devices to Support Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
Keywords:
learning support, higher education, m-learning, smart phoneAbstract
In the coming years all students are likely to own smart mobile phones in higher education institutions and it is important that as higher education we bridge the gap of learning with tools and techniques which are more relevant to the current students. Teaching and learning in Higher education institutions must be innovative and transformed to give support to the current generation we currently have in the education system. It is critical that as a university of technology we introduce new modernize ways of enhancing learning that will grant opportunities to allow students to attain their full potential and to get the support they require to help them achieve academic excellences. The current higher education students should be educated in ways which are more appealing and interactive. Most of our students uses their mobile phones every day and they enjoy the technology that mobile phones offers them, it is important as higher education we find ways of using the same tool (mobile phone) that they like using for other personal or social purposes to use it for educational purposes. The researcher gathered data by joining a messaging services application (Whatsapp) group that was being used by the students already and accepting students as friends on Facebook. This research was conduct at VUT Ekurhuleni satellite campus. The findings of this paper indicate that smart phones messaging applications do have a positive impact on supporting teaching and learning and increase participation of students in their learning. Currently most students in VUT Ekurhuleni today have access to a mobile phone than computers. There is no better time than now to blend the face-to-face learning with mobile-learning. The primary aim of this research was to determine if smart phones can play a role in supporting education at Vaal University of Technology. This research has provided a humble basis for higher education academic leaders to start the discussion and the possibility of introducing the use of smart phones to support teaching and Learning.
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