Investigating the Rate of Using Mobile Phone for Educational and General Purposes by Postgraduate Students of the University of Tehran

Subject Areas : Infomartion Technology

Sarem Zafari ¹ , Norouz Ali Karamdoost ² , Kamal Dorrani ³ , Mohsen Nazarzadeh Zare ⁴

1 - MA Graduate of Adult Education, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2 - Associate Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instructional Planning and Methods, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
3 - Associate Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instructional Planning and Methods, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
4 - PhD Student of Higher Education Administration, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Received: 2013-11-28 Accepted : 2013-11-01 Published : 2014-05-01

Keywords: Mobile Phone, Electronic Learning, Tehran University, mobile learning,

Abstract :

The aim of this research was to determine the rate of using cell phone for educational and general purposes by postgraduate and PhD students of the University of Tehran. To obtain this goal, using a descriptive survey method, students' opinions were investigated. The statistical population consisted of 12933 postgraduate and PhD students of Tehran University, among whom a sample of 516 students were selected based on the stratified random sampling method. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire, the validity of which had been calculated by e-learning experts and supervisors. Its reliability was calculated 0.84 using Cronbach alpha coefficient. For data analysis, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, ANOVA, and Kruskal-Wallis tests in SPSS software were used. The findings showed that the rate of using mobile capabilities and features for general and educational purposes by the students was less than the average rate, and only in some capabilities, such as audio, SMS and call for general purposes was more than average. Other findings showed that general use of mobile phones was different between students based on educational degree and fields of study. Also, there was not a significant difference among educational subgroups in the usage of mobile phone capabilities and features for educational purposes. Therefore, faculty members are recommended to change their traditional approaches in teaching-learning activities to encourage more the student community to use mobile technologies for educational purposes.

References:

1. Aderinoye, R. A., Ojokheta, K. O., & Olojede, A. (2007). Integrating mobile learning into nomadic education programmers in Nigeria: Issues and perspectives. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 8(2), 1-17. Retrieved from http://eric.ed.gov/?id = EJ800957


2. Alexander, B. (2004). Going nomadic: Mobile learning in higher education. EDUCAUSE Review, 39(5), 29-35. Retrieved from https://net.educause.edu/ ir/library/pdf/ERM0451.pdf


3. Attewell, J. (2005). Mobile technologies and learning: A technology update and m-learning project summary. London: Learning and Skills Development Agency, 1-25. Retrieved from http://www.m-learning.org/docs/The%20m-learning%20 project %20-%20technology%20update%20and%20project%20 summary.pdf


4. Barzegar, R., Dehghan Zadeh, H., & Moghadam Zadeh, A. (2012). From electronic learning to mobile learning: Theoretical principles. MEDIA, 3(2), 35-41. (in Persian).


5. Berking, P., Haag, J., Archibald, T., & Birtwhistle, M. (2012). Mobile learning: Not just another delivery method. Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation, and Education Conference (I/ITSEC), 1-30. Retrieved from ww.adlnet.gov/wp-content/ uploads/2012/12/12079.pdf‎


6. Brown, T. H. (2005). Towards a model for m-learning in Africa. International Journal on E-Learning, 4(3),299-315. Retrieved from http://www.editlib.org/ noaccess/5082


7. Forooshani, N., Khosravipour, B., & Yaghoubi J. (2010). A survey the views of the Agriculture organization experts of Khuzestan Province toward mobile educational systems. The Fourth National Conference and the First International Conference on e-Learning. Tehran: University of Science and Technology. (in Persian).


8. Fozdar, B. I., & Kumar, L. S. (2007). Mobile learning and student retention. The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 8(2), 1-18. Retrieved from: http://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ800952


9. Hoskyns-Long, E. (2009). Trends in mobile learning:A study of the adoption of podcasting as a learning tool at a community college.Theses of Doctor of Philosophy, Capella University. Retrieved from http://gradworks.umi.com/ 3359056.pdf


10. Kim, S. H., Mims, C., & Holmes, K. P. (2006). An introduction to current trends and benefits of mobile wireless technology use in higher education. AACE Journal, 14(1), 77-100. Retrieved from: http://editlib.org/d/6158


11. Mansouri, S., Kaghazi, B., & Khormali N. (2011). A survey the views of the students of Gonbad Payam Noor University to mobile learning. The first Conference of mobile value-added services in Iran. Tehran: Centre of Technology Studies of Sharif University. (in Persian).


12. Mehdipour, Y., & Zerehkafi, H. (2013). Mobile learning for education: Benefits and challenges. International Journal of Computational Engineering Research, 3(6), 93-101. Retrieved from www.ijceronline.com/papers/Vol3_issue6/.../ P03630930 100.pdf‎


13. Morsaei, S., Yaghoubi, J., & Rajaei, Y. (2011). A survey the views of the Managers of agricultural cooperatives toward mobile learning. International Conference on Electronic Citizenship and Mobile. Tehran. (in Persian).


14. McConatha, D., & Paul, M. (2008). Mobile learning in higher education: An empirical assessment of a new educational tool. The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology, 7(3), 1-7. Retrieved from http://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED 502236


15. O'Mailey, C., Vavoula, G., Glew, J. P., Taylor, J., Sharples, M., & Lefrere, P. (2003). MOBILearn WP 4-Guidelines for learning/teaching/tutoring in a mobile environment. Retrieved from http://www.mobilearn.org/download/results/ guidelines.pdf


16. Peters, K. (2007). M-learning: Positioning educators for a mobile, connected future. The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 8(2), 1-17. Retrieved from files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ800956.pdf


17. Quinn, C. (2000). M-Learning: Mobile, wireless, in-your-pocket learning. LINE Zone. Retrieved from http://www.linezine.com/2.1/features/cqmmwiyp. htm


18. Rockman, S. (1997). Report of a laptop program pilot: A project for anytime anywhere learning by microsoft corporation notebooks for schools by Toshiba America Information Systems. San Francisco, CA. Retrieved from http://www.microsoft.com/education/download/aal/resrch_1.rtf


19. Sharples, M. (2000). The design of personal mobile technologies for lifelong learning. Computers and Education, 34, 177-193.


20. Williams, P. W. (2008). Assessing Mobile Learning Effectiveness and Acceptance. Theses of Doctor of Philosophy, George Washington University, Faculty of the School of Business. 31. Retrieved from http://etd.gelman.gwu. edu/10014.pdf


21. Yaghoubi, J., & Baratali, J. (2010). A survey of the role of mobile technologies in offering of electronic administrative services to the rural (Case study: Zanjan). The Second International Conference on Electronic Administrative System. Tehran: Center of Tapko Scientific Conferences. (in Persian).


22. Sharples, M. (2000). The design of personal mobile technologies for lifelong learning. Computers and Education, 34, 177-193.


23. Williams, P. W. (2008). Assessing Mobile Learning Effectiveness and Acceptance. Theses of Doctor of Philosophy, George Washington University, Faculty of the School of Business. 31. Retrieved from http://etd.gelman.gwu. edu/10014.pdf


24. Yaghoubi, J., & Baratali, J. (2010). A survey of the role of mobile technologies in offering of electronic administrative services to the rural (Case study: Zanjan). The Second International Conference on Electronic Administrative System. Tehran: Center of Tapko Scientific Conferences. (in Persian).