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Author: Zoraini Wati Abas | [2]Chng Loi Peng | [3]Norziati Mansor [4]
Item Format: TEXT
Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item
Item Date: 2009-02
View Repository Item [1]
Prior to embarking on mobile learning, a study was conducted to determine the readiness of learners at the Open University Malaysia (OUM), Malaysia’s first open and distance learning university. The study conducted in the last quarter of 2008 attempted to determine, among others, the extent of ownership of a mobile phone, readiness to be a mobile learner as indicated by questions such as willingness to buy a new mobile device and preparedness to subscribe to additional mobile services, types of materials they would like to receive and their perceptions about m-learning. Out of a total of 6,000 questionnaires distributed, 2,837 were returned. The respondents were from 31 learning centres from all parts of the country. Most of the respondents were between 31 and 35 years old and were largely undergraduates. The findings indicate that almost all (98.91 percent) learners at OUM have a mobile phone and that 82.84 percent of the respondents can imagine themselves learning through mobile devices. When further questioned, 47.98 percent of the learners stated they would be ready for m-learning within six months and another 15.73 percent believed they will be ready within 6 to 12 months. In other words, 63.71 percent of students are ready for m-learning within the next 12 months. The paper highlights the findings and implications to the m-learning project at the university
