The Critical Success Factors Influencing the Use of Mobile Learning and its Perceived Impacts in Students’ Education: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Mobile Learning (M-learning) adoption and success in supporting students' learning engagement mainly depend on many factors. Therefore, this study systematically reviews the literature, synthesizes and analyzes the predictors of M-learning adoption, and uses success for students' learning engagement. Literature from 2016 to 2023 in various databases is covered in this study. Based on the review's findings, the factors that influence students' learning engagement when it comes to M-learning usage and adoption, can be divided into technical, pedagogical, and social factors. More specifically, technical factors include mobile devices availability and quality, connectivity to the internet, and user-friendly interfaces, pedagogical factors include effective instructional design, teaching methods, and assessment strategies, and social factors include motivation of students, social interaction and perceived enjoyment -all these factors have a significant impact on the M-learning adoption and use success. The findings of the review also indicated that M-learning has a key role in enhancing the learning engagement of students through different ways, like increasing their motivation, attention, and participation in their process of learning, paving the way for interaction and building relationships opportunities with peers and instructors, which in turn, can lead to strengthening the learning environment. The implications of these findings extend beyond immediate educational contexts, offering vital insights for future educational technology strategies and policy decisions, particularly in addressing global educational challenges and embracing technological advancements in learning.