Improving the accessibility of digital content via mobile technology. A case study of Mount Kenya University

  • Ann Githinji Mount Kenya University
  • Prof. Gregory Wanyembi School of Computing and Informatics, Mount Kenya University
  • Dr. Salesio Kiura School of Computing and Information Technologies, The Technical University of Kenya
  • Dr. Benson Njoroge School of Education, Mount Kenya University
Keywords: Mobile technology, Digital content, Learner/ student, E-learning/ M-learning, mobile-based model

Abstract

Globally, Higher Education Institutions (HEI) have embraced the use of mobile technology in the delivery of instructional resources which has promised multiple benefits in digital or blended learning, HEIs are facing the challenge of high internet tariffs. The current study sought to improve the accessibility of digital content via mobile technology within limited Internet connectivity contexts. The study used a quantitative research approach within which a descriptive survey research design was adopted. The case study was Mount Kenya University in Kenya. The study was guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The target population was 15123 individuals comprising of 15,000 students and 123 were educators/ ICT staff who accessed digital content in the academic year 2018/2019. The mobile-based model used a WIFI router device which is not internet supported as an alternative to a wired internet connection where students and educators access digital content from the mobile sub-server which was not connected to the internet through their mobile technology. The findings showed that there is a statistically significant relationship between internet connectivity, type of mobile technology, user literacy, data caching, and eLearning policy had a significant effect on the accessibility of digital content. The variables were statistically significant. The adjusted R squared was 0.862 indicating that 86.2 percent of the total variation of accessibility of digital content can be explained by Internet connectivity, e-learning policy, type of mobile technology, data caching, and user literacy. The study then went ahead to develop a mobile-based e-learning model. The findings showed that the use of mobile-based e-learning (m-learning) in universities will greatly improve access to digital content and hence e-learning. The study recommends the use of m-learning as it will provide alternative means of optimizing Internet connectivity.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1] Afzaal H. Seyal, Noah, Abd Rahman, Rudy Ramlie, and Armanadurni Abdul Rahman. (2015). A Preliminary Study of Students’ Attitude on m-Learning: An Application of Technology Acceptance Model. International Journal of Information and Education Technology, Volume 5(8), pp. 610.
[2] Belén Cruz Zapata. (2015). Empirical Studies on Usability of mHealth Apps: A Systematic Literature Review: Journal of Medical Systems, Volume 39(2), pp. 182.
[3] Callum, K. M. (2014). Factors Impacting Teachers’ Adoption of Mobile Learning. Journal of Information Technology Education; Research, Volume 13(1), pp. 143.
[4] Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, and User Acceptance of Information Technology. IT Usefulness and Ease of Use, Volume 13(3), pp. 320.
[5] Elmorshidy, A. (2012). Mobile Learning – A New Success Model. The Journal of Global Business Management, Volume 8(2), pp. 18-27.
[6] Herold, B. (2016). Technology in Education. Retrieved 22nd January 2018 from https://www.edweek.org/ew/issues/technology-in-education/index.html
[7] Komen, J. L. (2017). M-Learning: Appropriating social media for pedagogy in Africa (Ph.D., Day-star University Kenya). Retrieved 12th January 2018 from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318569679_M_Learning_Appropriating_social_media_for_pedagogy_in_Africa
[8] Lu, June; Yu, Chung-Sheng; Liu, Chang; and Yao, James. (2003). Acceptance of Wireless Internet via Mobile Technology in China. Retrieved 12th August 2018 from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e5dd/6cee0a8d7a43d914f0dde66f98d7171db445.pdf
[9] M. A. Fishbein, Icek Ajzen. (1975). Belief, attitude, intention, and behavior: An introduction to theory and research. California: Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.
[10] Mohamed Sarrab, Ibtisam Al Shibli, and Nabeela Badursha. (2016). An Empirical Study of Factors Driving the Adoption of Mobile Learning in Omani Higher Education. International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning Volume 17(4), pp. 342.
[11] Mukherjee. (2016). Using technology to bridge the learning gap across Africa.
[12] Mulero Olumayowa, Adeyeye Michael. (2013). An Empirical Study Of User Acceptance Of Online Social Networks Marketing. SACJ, pp. 8.
[13] Ngamau, K. (2013). factors affecting the effective adoption of e-learning in Kenyan universities: the case of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. Retrieved 18th February 2018 from http://erepo.usiu.ac.ke/bitstream/handle/11732/202/Ngamau%20.pdf?sequence=1
[14] Ngo Tan Vu Khanh and Gwangyong Gim. (2014). Factors influencing mobile-learning adoption intention; an empirical investigation in high education. Journal of Social Sciences, Volume 10 (2), pp. 51-62.
[15] Qureshi, a. e. (2012). Challenges of implementing e-learning in a Pakistani university. Knowledge Management & E-Learning, Volume 4(3), pp. 310-324.
[16] Tsinakos, A. (2013). Global Mobile Learning Implementation and Trends. Retrieved 18th August 2018 from http://de.teikav.edu.gr/tsinakos/pdf/Chapter1.pdf
[17] Wanja, S. N. (2014). Utilization of mobile phones in enhancing learner support services for distance education programs: a case of Mount Kenya University, (master thesis, University of Nairobi, Kenya). Retrieved 10th March 2018 from http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/77063
[18] Watson, J. (2015). Blending Learning: The Evolution of Online and Face-to-Face Education from 2008–2015. Retrieved 26th November 2019 from https://www.inacol.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/inacol_Blended-Learning-The-Evolution-of-Online-And-Face-to-Face-Education-from-2008-2015.pdf
[19] West, M. (2015a). Digital divide: Improving Internet access in the developing world through affordable services and diverse content. Retrieved 25th March 2018 from https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/West_Internet-Access.pdf
[20] West, M. D. (2015b). Connected learning: How mobile technology can improve education. Retrieved 18th November 2018 from https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/west_connected-learning_v11.pdf.
Published
2022-05-28
How to Cite
Githinji, A., Wanyembi, P. G., Kiura, D. S., & Njoroge, D. B. (2022). Improving the accessibility of digital content via mobile technology. A case study of Mount Kenya University. International Journal of Advanced Computer Technology, 11(3), 1-6. Retrieved from https://ijact.org/index.php/ijact/article/view/81