Purpose -This paper discusses the development of a system using SMS (short messaging system) to facilitate learning and also as a new method in the evaluation of teaching and learning. Design/methodology/approach -The design of a system that uses SMS for the quiz is proposed as an alternative for formative assessment of teaching and learning for courses at institutions of higher learning in Malaysia. The fundamental idea of the SMS assessment system is based on the SMS function which is the basic feature of the normal mobile phone to receive and send text messages at anytime and anywhere. This will allow the formative assessment to be done in a course with a more flexible approach. Findings -It is found that the quiz through SMS has the potential to be used in the teaching and learning environment. However there are some constraints and issues in the operation of this system that needs to be addressed before the system can be utilized optimally. These constraints and issues involve the system stability, the users/students and other general issues. Originality/value -This article offers a new alternative for lecturers, teachers and students in the implementation of formative assessment quizzes via SMS. IntroductionVarious new technologies have been introduced to facilitate and improve the effectiveness of teaching and learning. Learning process which involves short messaging system (SMS) can be regarded as one of the latest innovation to support teaching and learning. Several researches have been conducted to explore the potential of teaching and learning involving the use of mobile devices (e.g. Ally, 2009;Ford and Leinonen, 2009;Gregson and Jordaan, 2009). These researches were carried out in various areas. The use of mobile technology in the education sector in developed countries is increasing and the study using mobile devices in teaching and learning have also shown an increase in Malaysia. A number of researchers have tried to use the SMS function to communicate in their courses such as sending a note and sending information or notification (e.g. Lim et al., 2011). However, there are fewer researches that focus on the method of two-way communication between lecturers and students and as well as assessment system based on SMS. Currently, most research only focuses on one-way interaction between lecturers and students, for example a lecturer send a note via SMS to their students by Rosli et al. (2010). Many researches are still at an early stage where SMS is sent only from the lecturer to students, not vice versa. Although the SMS technology is the same technology that can be obtained through the use of mobile devices, to develop evaluation systems that use SMS is quite complicated because it includes the character limit, consumer credit, special instructions and common problems in mobile system such as mobile coverage and SMS providers bulk limit (delayed response).

Trainee teachers in Malaysia are encountering new development in the open market that requires skills of the 21 st century. This study thus investigated the skills of information, media and technology (IMT) among trainee teachers at a Malaysian university by exploring e-portfolio at Mahara@USM to improve IMT skills in the 21 st century. This study involved a quantitative method, which utilised questionnaires as a research instrument for data gathering activities. Also, a total of 265 trainee teachers were involved in this research for a seven-week intervention study. Using both descriptive and inferential statistics, this research data was analysed. In addition, the inferential statistics introduced in this study data analysis are t-test and ANOVA. These research findings have shown that trainee teachers possess the necessary IMT skills to prepare an e-portfolio. However, the findings of this research have shown that there is a significant difference in media literacy skills among trainee teachers from various majors. Trainee teachers and majors had no sign of information literacy skills in this enquiry. Additionally, there were no signs of information and communication technology skills among the trainee teachers and majors. This study contributes to the existing literature on 21 st century IMT skills for trainee teachers. This research fills the gap that exists due to global changes in IMT capabilities in the need for a pedagogical paradigm shift.

Communication between teachers and parents is essential to foster parental involvement in school related activities. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of mobile instant messaging for parent-teacher communication in enhancing two-way communication between parents and teachers. In particular, the research examines the barriers on parental involvement and investigates the relationship between the use of mobile instant messaging for parent-teacher communication, as well as for families of different socio-economic and educational background. In addition, the study also evaluates parents’ attitudes and perceptions towards the use of mobile instant messaging for communication with teachers. The respondents for this study were 251 parents with different background. This study employed a mix-method research design which involved quantitative and qualitative data. The findings revealed that time constraint is the primary reason for parents to be involved in school related activities. The study results also indicated that there is no relationship between family socio-economic background and the use of mobile instant messaging for parent-teacher communication. However, the findings show a significant relationship between parents’ educational background and the use of mobile instant messaging for parents-teacher communication. Moreover, the study also found a receptive attitude among parents towards mobile based communications with teachers and school