Using Mobile Phones to Improve Educational Outcomes: An Analysis of Evidence from Asia

Posted by PrabhasPokharel on May 18, 2010
Author: 
John-Harmen Valk, Ahmed T. Rashid, and Laurent Elder
ISSN/ISBN Number: 
1492
Publication Type: 
Journal article
Publication Date: 
Mar 2010
Publisher/Journal: 
The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, Vol 11, No 1 (2010)
Publication language: 
English
Abstract: 

Despite improvements in educational indicators, such as enrollment, significant challenges remain with regard to the delivery of quality education in developing countries, particularly in rural and remote regions. In the attempt to find viable solutions to these challenges, much hope has been placed in new information and communication technologies (ICTs), mobile phones being one example.

This article reviews the evidence of the role of mobile phone-facilitated mLearning in contributing to improved educational outcomes in the developing countries of Asia by exploring the results of six mLearning pilot projects that took place in the Philippines, Mongolia, Thailand, India, and Bangladesh. In particular, this article examines the extent to which the use of mobile phones helped to improve educational outcomes in two specific ways: 1) in improving access to education, and 2) in promoting new learning. Analysis of the projects indicates that while there is important evidence of mobile phones facilitating increased access, much less evidence exists as to how mobiles promote new learning.

 

Using Mobile Phones to Improve Educational Outcomes: An Analysis of Evidence from Asia data sheet 2658 Views
Author: 
John-Harmen Valk, Ahmed T. Rashid, and Laurent Elder
ISSN/ISBN Number: 
1492
Publication Type: 
Journal article
Publication Date: 
Mar 2010
Publisher/Journal: 
The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, Vol 11, No 1 (2010)
Publication language: 
English
Abstract: 

Despite improvements in educational indicators, such as enrollment, significant challenges remain with regard to the delivery of quality education in developing countries, particularly in rural and remote regions. In the attempt to find viable solutions to these challenges, much hope has been placed in new information and communication technologies (ICTs), mobile phones being one example.

This article reviews the evidence of the role of mobile phone-facilitated mLearning in contributing to improved educational outcomes in the developing countries of Asia by exploring the results of six mLearning pilot projects that took place in the Philippines, Mongolia, Thailand, India, and Bangladesh. In particular, this article examines the extent to which the use of mobile phones helped to improve educational outcomes in two specific ways: 1) in improving access to education, and 2) in promoting new learning. Analysis of the projects indicates that while there is important evidence of mobile phones facilitating increased access, much less evidence exists as to how mobiles promote new learning.

 


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