The Use of Mobile Computing in Technical and Vocational Education Institutions

Abstract

The motive for this study was to assess how polytechnic students and lecturers were using mobile computing devices for teaching and learning both inside and outside the classroom and how actual student use compares to lecturers’ perceptions of student use. The researchers used Gweru Polytechnic and Kwekwe Polytechnic as case studies and data was collected through interviews and questionnaires administered to lecturers and students. The findings revealed that the implementation of mobile learning in polytechnics had some challenges including internet connectivity and high mobile data costs. While lecturers believed that students were primarily using mobile devices to socialise, students reported that they were performing a wide variety of educational tasks. Although some lecturers banned the use of mobile devices in the classroom and prefer mobile learning to remain outside the classroom, students believed that more formal uses both inside and outside the classroom could be beneficial. Students seemed more ready to fully adopt the use of mobile devices for learning while lecturers are somewhat concerned that devices may be distracting and limiting. The researchers recommends the increased dialogue amongst stakeholders about the learning opportunities available through mobile devices.