Support of Mobile Phones in a Private Network for Science Teaching

Authors

  • Sakunthala Yatigammana Ekanayake Department of Education University of Peradeniya Peradeniya Sri Lanka
  • Kamalanath Samarakoon Department of Computer Engineering University of Peradeniya Peradeniya Sri Lanka

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v10i2.4817

Keywords:

Mobile learning, Science education

Abstract


The potential of mobile phones to facilitate students’ science learning, when they are engaging in group activities, was investigated. To minimize the disciplinary issues emerged from the previous research on mobile devices and to enhance the quality of learning, a set of mobile phones that are connected to a private network was used. The lesson planning and implementation through these mobile phones were facilitated by a web based Application. A purposively selected group of teachers developed three lessons while integrating mobile phones in a private network into learning activities. Then the lessons were implemented in real classroom settings. This paper is based on one of the lessons ‘Waves and their Characteristics’ that was implemented for Grade 11 students. The data were collected through observations using audio, video and field notes and were analyzed using thematic analysis technique with the help of NVivo10 qualitative data analysis software. Based on the thematic analysis, two assertions were derived. Notably teachers appreciated the support of the private network in enhancing the quality of group learning activity while minimizing the students’ misuse of mobile phones.

Author Biographies

Sakunthala Yatigammana Ekanayake, Department of Education University of Peradeniya Peradeniya Sri Lanka

Lecturer Department of Education University of Peradeniya Peradeniya Sri Lanka

Kamalanath Samarakoon, Department of Computer Engineering University of Peradeniya Peradeniya Sri Lanka

Senior Lecturer Department of Computer Engineering University of Peradeniya Peradeniya Sri Lanka

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Published

2016-04-28

How to Cite

Ekanayake, S. Y., & Samarakoon, K. (2016). Support of Mobile Phones in a Private Network for Science Teaching. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (iJIM), 10(2), pp. 4–9. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v10i2.4817

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Section

Papers