Can Mobile Learning Upgrade the Educational Status of Bangladesh: Challenges and Opportunities?

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was designed to collect data from October to December 2015 using a semi-structured questionnaire from the randomly selected study centers along with its learners and tutors separately. The sample size of this study was 615. The questionnaire was divided into 3 sections. Section 1 was respondent’s biographical profile; section 2 regarding the technology uses by respondents, section 3 having respondents’ knowledge, attitude and practices of mobile applications. A pilot test using a sample of 8 academic staff and 12 learners was conducted to confirm the clarity of the items before the instrument was administered to the sample group. // Recently BOU has developed mobile set compatible memory cards containing e-books and audio-visual materials for the learners. BOU have uploaded near about 400 textbooks in the form of e-books of almost all academic programs. BOU has already developed and installed multiple mobile apps and educational webpage for the learners as learning tools. It would be a great opportunity for the learners to access their study material and any other quarries regarding their learning process by using the student portal from their mobile internet. This is cost-effective and time saving approaches to enhance the teaching and learning process for huge number of learners. Despite of these, Bangladesh has faced uninterrupted and low bandwidth internet connectivity throughout the country. This paper focus on how the learners can uses of different learning tools regarding the learning process by using mobile technology in the context of Bangladesh. // Paper ID 214