Attitudes Towards the Use of Mobile Learning: A Case Study from the Gulf Region

Authors

  • Mostafa Al-Emran Al Buraimi University College
  • Khaled Shaalan The British University in Dubai

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v9i3.4596

Keywords:

Mobile Learning, Attitudes, Higher Education, Gulf Region

Abstract


In the last few years, the way we learn has been shifted dramatically from traditional classrooms depending on printed papers into E-learning depending on digital pages. Mobile learning (M-learning) is a recent technology that has been developed rapidly to deliver E-learning using personal mobile devices without posing any restrictions on time and location. In this work, we investigate students and faculty members’ attitudes towards the use of M-learning in higher educational institutions within two countries in the Gulf Region (Oman & UAE). Two questionnaire surveys have been conducted: one for students and another for faculty members. In these surveys, 383 students and 54 instructors have taken part within the study. An independent sample t-test was performed to examine whether there exist a significant difference among the students’ attitudes and the faculty members’ attitudes towards the use of M-learning with regard to gender and country. Results indicated that students in the UAE were more positive towards the use of M-learning than those in Oman. Moreover, results revealed that 99% of the students own mobile devices, in particular smartphones and tablets, while only 1% has not. Results of this study could help policy makers for better decision making in building the M-learning infrastructure in the higher educational institutions in general and specifically within the Arab Gulf region.

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Published

2015-07-31

How to Cite

Al-Emran, M., & Shaalan, K. (2015). Attitudes Towards the Use of Mobile Learning: A Case Study from the Gulf Region. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (iJIM), 9(3), pp. 75–78. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v9i3.4596

Issue

Section

Short Papers