Mobile Learning: Challenges for Teachers of Indian Open Universities

Authors

  • Ashish Kumar Awadhiya Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, India
  • Anshu Miglani Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56059/jl4d.v3i2.145

Keywords:

Open and Distance Learning (ODL), Mobile Learning, m-learning, Mobile Technology, Challenges.

Abstract

“Mobile Learning” (m-Learning) has emerged as a trend in the field of Open and Distance Learning (ODL). It is removing the time and geographical barriers for learning by placing learning opportunities at the fingertips of learners. ODL institutes in India are also adopting mlearning in different forms; however, it is not fully implemented due to various reasons. This paper aims to explore possible challenges faced by teachers of Open Universities of India in implementation of m-learning. In this context the teachers of Indian Open Universities were surveyed to identify and rate the intensity of various challenges in the successful implementation of m-learning in the ODL system. The findings from respondents (n = 72) revealed that out of thirteen (13) challenges presented to them, the three most important challenges were: (a) lack of support for instructional design for m-learning; (b) lack of institutional policy for m-learning and (c) lack of infrastructure/technological support. These barriers were extrinsic in nature as they were institution dependent. The least important challenges were found to be: (a) intrusion on personal time due to 24 x 7 access; (b) reluctance to adopt technology and (c) difficulty of use. These barriers were intrinsic in nature as they were person-driven. Challenges of m-learning were found to be the same irrespective of gender. Institutions need to provide adequate institutional support in terms of policy, infrastructure and instructional design for the successful implementation of m-learning.

Author Biographies

Ashish Kumar Awadhiya, Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, India

Mr. Ashish K Awadhiya has done M. Sc. (Life Science) from School of Life Sciences, Devi Ahilya University, Indore and UGC-CSIR NET. He has also done Post Graduate Diploma in Quality Management. Currently he is working as Asst. Director (Training and Development), at Inter University Consortium (IUC), IGNOU.

Mr. Awadhiya has five year experience in Clinical Research Industry in the field of Training and Development and Quality Assurance.

He was managing in Employee Training Management System, Developing and Coordinating Online Trainings and Training Need Assessment. He is a Trainer in the areas of Social Media Learning, Computer Added Learning, Clinical Research and Clinical Quality Assurance.

In the field of Quality Assurance, he has experience in Clinical Data Management and Clinical Trial audits, System audits, Regulatory Inspections, SOP Management and Quality Control.

Anshu Miglani, Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, India

Dr. Anshu Miglani joined IGNOU in June 2011 and currently working as Assistant Director (R&D), Inter University Consortium for Technology-Enabled Flexible Education and Development (IUC). She has been a meticulous researcher and has done PhD in Botany, which involves application of Remote Sensing & Geographic Information System (GIS) in crop studies.

Before joining IGNOU, Dr. Miglani was working as Faculty & Manager (Education), GIS Development Pvt. Ltd., NOIDA, India. She has diversified experience of 7 years in various projects in the geospatial domain, imparting consultancy, training & education, research & documentation and handling division level operations.

Her specializations are GIS, Remote Sensing, Hyperspectral image processing, and Geospatial applications in Natural Resources Management.

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Published

2016-06-17

How to Cite

Awadhiya, A. K., & Miglani, A. (2016). Mobile Learning: Challenges for Teachers of Indian Open Universities. Journal of Learning for Development, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.56059/jl4d.v3i2.145

Issue

Section

Research Articles
Received 2016-04-08
Accepted 2016-06-10
Published 2016-06-17