Mobile Learning: Potential Enabler of Open and Distance Learning in SubSaharan Africa

Abstract

The swift rate of mobile penetration in developing countries is projecting these nations into the next century as well as providing novel and previously unimagined opportunities. Nevertheless in sub-Saharan Africa, despite the fact that virtually every open and distance learner has at least one mobile device, only a few open and distance learning providers and stakeholders have explored the prospects of mobile devices for learning. It is against this backdrop that this study was undertaken. The main goal of this research was to identify the opportunities and challenges of mobile learning with a view to proposing solutions on how best to harness the potentials of mobile learning in the future. The study equally presents some practical examples on how open education providers can develop the proficiency and practice of learners in this thrilling aspect of development. Findings from this research revealed that Mobile learning offers numerous benefits for education: it represents the next phase in a long tradition of technology-mediated learning which will feature new strategies, practices, tools, applications, and resources to accomplish the goals of open and distance learning: promise of ever-present, pervasive, personal, and connected learning. Moreover, the implications of mobile learning are far-reaching, and its potential effect on all forms of education, including open education are profound. On the other hand Challenges of mobile learning identified and the corresponding proposal to palliate these barriers in order to promote mobile learning. It is hoped that this paper will guide African stakeholders and providers of Open and Distance Education towards embracing the opportunities mobile learning devices offer. // Paper ID: 381