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Library and Information Science Students' Perceptions towards M-learning

Noa Aharony, Ph.D.Bar-Ilan University

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M-learning

Early perspectives focused on technology and suggested that m-learning is the delivery of training by means of mobile device such as mobile phones, and PDAs (McConatha and Praul, 2008).

Sharples, Taylor and Vavola (2007) state that m-learning is a conversation across multiple contexts among people and personal interactive technologies.

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Geddes (2004) defines m-learning as the acquisition of knowledge or skills through the use of mobile technology anywhere and anytime.

M-learningImprove communication and

collaborative interactionProvide more learning opportunities

for geographically distant people and groups

Encourage active learningEnhance learner's feedback, Emphasize time on taskAcquire content quickly (Lan & Sie,

2010). 2012כנס מיטל 4

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M-learning LimitationsMobile devices are limited by screen size, battery capacity, and network bandwidth (Chen, Chang, & Wang, 2008).

Some researchers postulate that m-learning cannot fully replace traditional learning, but only add value to the current educational setting.

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Research ObjectivesWhether LIS students' personality and individual characteristics are related to their perceptions about m-learning;

Whether differences exist according to level of education, age and gender concerning LIS students' perceptions about m-learning.

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Resistance to change

New technologies may cause some form of change within the users. It could be a minor change such as a simple modification of the user interface or a major one when the individual has to change his routine tasks (Nov and Ye, 2008).

Thus, different users may react differently to changes; some may accept them while others may resist them.

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Learning Strategies

A deep learning strategy A surface learning strategy

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Cost-benefit model

The cost-benefit framework suggests that when deciding to adopt new technologies, users would consider both the benefits and costs and tradeoff between them (Shen, Huang, Chu and Hsu, 2010).

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The underlying assumptions of this study are:

The less resistant to change LIS students are, the more positive perceptions they have towards m-learning.

Deep LIS students will have more positive perceptions towards m-learning than surface LIS students.

The higher level of computer mastery, computer academic use, and of media social use, LIS students have, the more positive perceptions they have towards m-learning.

Younger LIS students will have more positive perceptions about m-learning than older students.

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Procedures

The research was conducted during the first semester of the 2012 academic year.

137 students participated in the researchThe researchers used six questionnaires: a

personal details questionnaire, a perceptions about m-learning questionnaire, computer mastery questionnaire, computer use questionnaire, resistance to change questionnaire, and a learning strategies questionnaire.

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Results

H1 was supported. It was found that the more LIS students resist changes; the less willing they are ready to "pay" for the implementation of new and advanced technologies in their learning environments and the more they think that the new technological application use is complicated.

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Results pertaining to H2

demonstrate that this hypothesis was also accepted, indicating that deep LIS learners have more positive perceptions towards m-learning than surface student.

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H3 was also supported. LIS students who have more experience with computer in general, academic computer use in particular, and social media, understand the benefits of technological use, and recognize the advantages of integrating and using m-learning in their curriculum.

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H4 was accepted, revealing that younger LIS students have more positive perceptions about m-learning than do older students.

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Summing up, when considering LIS students perceptions about m-learning, we should take into consideration the importance of individual differences in technology use and acceptance. This characteristic may explain why some students adopt technological innovations in their study environments while others do not.

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Thanks for your attention!Noa.aharony@biu.ac.il