Introduction
Technological advancements have redefined the education system in the current society. Unlike before when education was based on classrooms, with teachers, textbooks and students as core players, a new element has been introduced in the mix that is, technology. Technology has made learning much easier. Through wireless connections, students can easily share information amongst themselves and with their teachers. Because of these advancements, many people who had stopped learning, some of whom are employed, have developed interest in going back to school. With the invention of mobile technology, mobile learning has been made possible. A student can access a classroom lecture with the help of wireless technology. Further inventions of gadgets such as iPads and cell phones have a great effect on education. As Chandran (2010) observes, learning has assumed a completely new approach due to inventions in the technological sector. This study seeks to establish the effect of mobile learning technology on the development of education.
Research Questions
In every research, there must be the motivating factor that necessitates the research process. In conducting a research, there are questions that the researcher seeks to answer because the available literature lacks proper answers to them (Leedy, & Ormrod, 2005). The questions act as a guideline to the research process. To help guide this research, the researcher developed one main question and three supportive questions as shown below.
What is the effect of mobile learning technology on development of educational process for varied educational establishments and study levels?
To help guide the above main question, the researcher developed the following supportive questions.
- What is the effect of mobile technologies (such as iPads and Cell phones) on quality of learning at various educational stages?
- How has m-technology impacted on the creativity of learners at lower stages of learning and how does this relate to their improved performance at advanced stages of learning
- Is the current shift in learning, that is, from the traditional classroom set ups to online learning, justified given the current technological changes in various fields in society?
Research Design and Data Collection
This research would use quantitative research methods in conducting the study and collecting data. Quantitative research is appropriate because it aims at summarizing data mathematically. In this regard, the research would take the form of a survey, whereby the researcher would identify some individuals and post questionnaires to them. The sampled population would be selected randomly in order to eliminate biases. The researcher would make follow-ups by contacting respondents on phone. Interviewing is another method of data collection that would be appropriate in this research (Creswell, 2003). The researcher would extract more information from respondents by calling them.
The questionnaires would be designed in a manner that would enable the researcher to gather all relvant information from various target groups (students, teachers and IT experts). In this regard, the researcher would structure the questionnaires in three ways. The first type of questionnaire would target the students. In this questionnaire, the interest would be to know their feeelings as regards to mobile education and how technological advancements have impacted on the same. Another questionnaire will be designed for educators. From them, the researcher would determine their feelings towards mobile learning and their view about changes in technology in respect to this field. The last questionnaire will be directed to the IT experts. From them, the researcher would want to determine what it takes to come up with a working program for mobile learning and their future offerings in this industry.
The second source of information appropriate for this research would be literature on various advancements of technology in the field of education. The focus of the literature review would be to gather data relating to the application of modern technologies in various institutions of learning and to determine the current state of affairs.
Validity and Reliability
Reliability means appropriateness, applicability and truthfulness of a study. It is the ability of research instruments to produce results that are in agreement with theoretical and conceptual values. In this study, internal validity would be ensured through checking the represenativeness of the sample. The researcher would ensure that the sample used captures all important aspects relating to mobile education. The researcher would also ensure that there is no form of bias when receiving data from respondents (Crotty, 2003). The respondents would be treated equally, irrespective of their level of education or their seniority in the education sector. External validity would be ensured through triangulation that is, the researcher would use more than one technique in collecting data. External validity would also be guaranteed by asking respondents to give their views.
Validity means that the study is consistent and lacks any ambiquity. It is related to the accuracy of instruments that is, how accurate the measuring device is in measuring what it claims to measure. In this study, it would be achieved through increasing verifiability of the perspective. The researcher would adopt the principles of coherence, opennes and discourse in order to guarantee reliability. The methodology emmployed by the researcher would be practical and simple to understand.
Gaps in the Literature
Technology is a topic that has raised a lot of questions among various scholars. The changes in technology happen almost on a daily basis. As Gaved (2010) observes, technology changes almost in every passing minute and this leaves the society guessing where next it would direct humanity. This has necessitated research in this discipline. Various researchers have studied this discipline and reported variously. Although their reports are comprehensive and properly articulated, these researchers have not addressed some gaps. Hassan, Ismail and Mustapha (2010) note that although their report has given detailed discussion on how technology has affected the lives of students, the scope could not cover the recently innovated learning tools such as the iPad. The iPad has gained fame among educators and learners. Failing to take this fact seriously may render a study irrelevant hence may reduce the validity of the report. In his report, Chandran (2010) admits that technology is so dynamic that what is held as a fact today may not be so in a few days time. He observes that there is need always to update the current literatures as the world experiences changes brought about by technology.
Conclusion
Education is one of the sectors that have experienced drastic changes due to technological advancements. One such change is mobile education. Because of the advancements in technology, learners are able to access learning materials irrespective of their positions, so long as they have internet connectivity. Sharing of learning materials among students and teachers have also been made easier. Because of this, mobile learning has become very popular.
References
Chandran, S. (2010). E-Education in Multicultural Setting: The Success of Mobile Learning. World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, 70(1), 419-422.
Creswell, J. (2003). Research design: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approach (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Crotty, M. (2003). The Foundations of Social Research: meaning and perspective in the research process. London: Sage.
Gaved, M. (2010). Using net books to support mobile learners’ investigations across activities and places. The Journal of Open and Distance Learning, 25(3), 187–200.
Hassan, I., Ismail, B., & Mustapha, R. (2010). The Effects of Integrating Mobile and CAD Technology in Teaching Design Process for Malayan Polytechnic Architecture Student in Producing Creative Product. The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology, 9(4), 162-172.
Leedy, P., & Ormrod, J. (2005). Practical Research: Planning and Design. Prentice Hall: Pearson.