Perceptions of learning effectiveness in M‐learning: scale development and student awareness

• Published in: Journal of computer assisted learning Vol. 33; no. 5; pp. 461 - 472
• Main Authors: Chang, Wen‐Hui, Liu, Yuan‐Chen, Huang, Tzu‐Hua
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Wiley-Blackwell 01.10.2017; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Collaboration; communication; Creative Thinking; Critical Thinking; critical thinking and problem solving; Distance learning; Electronic Learning; Elementary Education; Elementary School Students; Elementary Schools; Factor Analysis; Foreign Countries; Gender Differences; Instructional Effectiveness; Learning; Metacognition; Minimum Competency Testing; Multidimensional Scaling; M‐learning; Perception; Problem Solving; Self awareness; Statuary; Student Attitudes; Students; Teaching Methods; team collaboration; Teamwork; Test Construction; Test Reliability; Test Validity; Thinking Skills; Taiwan
• ISSN: 0266-4909; 1365-2729
• DOI: 10.1111/jcal.12192

The purpose of this study is to develop a multi‐dimensional scale to measure students' awareness of key competencies for M‐learning and to test its reliability and validity. The Key Competencies of Mobile Learning Scale (KCMLS) was determined via confirmatory factor analysis to have four dimensions: team collaboration, creative thinking, critical thinking and problem solving, and communication. The research subjects are 815 students from the elementary school that participate in M‐learning programme in Taiwan. The research results show that students have better self‐awareness in team collaboration and creative thinking, but have worse self‐awareness in critical thinking and problem solving. This study also found that there was no significant difference between genders in the KCMLS, but students who study in the schools that committed in M‐learning longer have higher awareness in all dimensions than students who study in the schools that committed to M‐learning in fewer years. Lay Description What is already known about this topic: The educational potential of mobile learning is well known. Many studies indicated that M‐learning could promote the key competencies of students. There is a lack of tool to measure the key competencies for M‐learning of students. What this paper adds: This study develops a scale to measure students' awareness of key competencies for M‐learning. Students have better self‐awareness in team collaboration and the creative thinking. Students commit in M‐learning longer have higher awareness in all dimensions. Implications for practice and/or policy: Using M‐learning to promote students' perception of team collaboration and creative thinking. Long‐term programme of M‐learning in policy is required to ensure student's key competencies. The KCMLS could measure the perception of key competencies statues in M‐learning.