Distance Learners’ Needs on Interactivity in SMS-based Learning System

Abstract

The literature points to the rise of mobile learning (m-learning) adoption in some higher education institutions in Malaysia. However, the designs of m-learning system in each institution are diverse and may not be carefully designed up to learners' expectation. Needs on interactivity is one aspect to be considered. This study examined the extent to which interactivity is viewed as a key element in designing an SMS-based m-learning system from the perspectives of distance learners. A purposive sample of 61 responses from distance learners from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) was analyzed. The results attested that in general, interactivity was viewed as important in their learning process. Specifically, interaction between students and lecturer was mostly preferred by the students, not only for learning communication, but also as a support to the SMS (Short Message Service)-based learning system. Findings in this study are of interest to distance educators and course designers interested in exploring the interactive elements of SMS-based learning applications.

Two-way text messaging: an interactive mobile learning environment in higher education

“…The Open University Malaysia has implemented such a messaging system to prepare text-based quizzes for students (Ismail and Azizan 2012) where a client messaging server is connected via a GSM modem with related software to administer these text-based quizzes. Khalid, Sujan, and Haque (2011) have also implemented a similar message-based system in Bangladesh to attend text-based multiple-choice questions (MCQ).…”

“…Although there are number of web-based paid text message services available in the Internet at present that facilitate sending secure messages through an LMS, such paid services restrict the number of outgoing messages as well as the number of users (DeWitt, Alias, and Siraj 2013;Ismail and Azizan 2012). Teachers who work with this LMS can send messages to a relevant course unit so that students who are currently logged in will receive this message on their mobile devices.…”

A Need Analysis of Incorporating A New Teaching Approach via Technology

“…In Malaysia, mobile learning is gaining momentum and has been researched by many educators and researchers (Hussin et al,2012). Some earlier studies stated that mobile learning is in the beginning stage in Malaysia (Ismail & Idrus, 2009;Ismail & Azizan, 2012, as cited in Munir Shuib, Siti Norbaya Azizan & Malini Ganapathy, 2018. However, several scholars mentioned that there has been significant progress in the number of studies focusing on mobile learning in Malaysia since the last decade (Masrom et al,2016;Song et al, 2013).…”