Use of Mobile Devices for Learning and Student Support in the Pacific Region

Abstract

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Attitudes and awareness of regional Pacific Island students towards e-learning

“…Overall, these are quite positive trends toward the uptake of digital technologies across the South Pacific region and the current and future potential for e-learning. This concurs with previous studies reporting that technology-enabled learning has been well received by most students (Raturi, 2018 ; Reddy et al, 2019 ; Sharma et al, 2020 , 2019b ). Although there have been drawbacks, as discussed in the introductory sections, initiatives to improve the facilitation of technology-enabled learning from the higher education stakeholders in the South Pacific have been put in place by government agencies and researchers.…”

“…Many higher education institutes in the South Pacific have transited to technology enabled learning to make the learning processes more effective and to meet the demands from the students. However, the phenomena of e-learning in the South Pacific is still developing and there are relatively few studies explored student attitudes and perceptions toward the use of technology, with most studies focused on technology and student acceptance (Raturi, 2018 ; Reddy et al, 2020b ; Sharma & Reddy, 2015 ; Sharma et al, 2020 , 2019b ).…”

“…Previous surveys show that over 50% of the population in the South Pacific now has access to the internet as a result of improved network infrastructure and the reduced cost of ICT devices (Reddy et al, 2017 ). However, these studies also highlight the variation in device ownership amongst the student population as a result of the financial, social and cultural challenges that exist in the PICs (Raturi, 2018 ; Reddy et al, 2019 ; Sharma et al, 2019a , 2020 , 2019b ). Education institutes and governments across the PICs have attempted to assist the students facing such challenges through interventions such as the provision of one free laptop or tablet per child, and equipping schools with adequate internet connections and computing devices (Sharma et al, 2020 , 2019b ).…”

“…However, these studies also highlight the variation in device ownership amongst the student population as a result of the financial, social and cultural challenges that exist in the PICs (Raturi, 2018 ; Reddy et al, 2019 ; Sharma et al, 2019a , 2020 , 2019b ). Education institutes and governments across the PICs have attempted to assist the students facing such challenges through interventions such as the provision of one free laptop or tablet per child, and equipping schools with adequate internet connections and computing devices (Sharma et al, 2020 , 2019b ). Similarly, the SchoolNet Project in Samoa and Tonga was funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and implemented by the government to enhance learning outcomes for secondary students and improve knowledge sharing through equitable ICT access (ADB, 2019 ).…”

Intentionality and Players of Effective Online Courses in Mathematics

“…The education landscape has recently been revolutionized with the advancements in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The infusion of ICT in education has expanded the educational environment from physical locations to the virtual learning space, hence transforming the modality from face-to-face or chalk-and-talk learning to ICT-driven learning with new models and pedagogies, offering more accessibility to the educational opportunities, with greater flexibility at lower costs [1,2]. Incorporating the appropriate ICT tools and technologies has also enabled educators to deliver complex and intricate concepts in innovative and creative ways, while also using the tools to track their students and make datadriven changes to content and delivery and maintain sound records [3][4][5].…”