Using mobile phones to improve educational outcomes: An analysis of evidence from Asia

Resource type
Journal Article
Authors/contributors
Title
Using mobile phones to improve educational outcomes: An analysis of evidence from Asia
Abstract
Despite improvements in educational indicators, such as enrolment, significant challenges remain with regard to the delivery of quality education in developing countries, particularly in rural and remote regions. In the attempt to find viable solutions to these challenges, much hope has been placed in new information and communication technologies (ICTs), mobile phones being one example. This article reviews the evidence of the role of mobile phone-facilitated mLearning in contributing to improved educational outcomes in the developing countries of Asia by exploring the results of six mLearning pilot projects that took place in the Philippines, Mongolia, Thailand, India, and Bangladesh. In particular, this article examines the extent to which the use of mobile phones helped to improve educational outcomes in two specific ways: 1) in improving access to education, and 2) in promoting new learning. Analysis of the projects indicates that while there is important evidence of mobile phones facilitating increased access, much less evidence exists as to how mobiles promote new learning.
Publication
The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning
Volume
11
Issue
1
Pages
117-140
Date
2010-03-05
Journal Abbr
IRRODL
Language
en
ISSN
1492-3831
Short Title
Using mobile phones to improve educational outcomes
Accessed
19/05/2020, 13:42
Library Catalogue
Extra
shortDOI: 10/gf5f5b
Citation
Valk, J.-H., Rashid, A. T., & Elder, L. (2010). Using mobile phones to improve educational outcomes: An analysis of evidence from Asia. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 11(1), 117–140. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v11i1.794