Session 11

Title: Text Messages and Mobile Browsing in Distance Education: Utility or Futility?

Session Description:

During the summer of 2007, a group of researchers at a Western Canadian university conducted a preliminary exploration of a new mobile tool called, MobiGlam. MobiGlam permits learners and teachers to access learning management systems through personal, wireless mobile devices. The system was tested by a group of student volunteers from a graduate program in Education. This presentation will briefly outline the theoretical framework, methodology, and results of the study. Results documented students’ attitudes towards mobile access to course materials as well as their opinions on the potential impact on their study patterns, and social interactions.

Presenter: Marguerite Koole-Ady

Marguerite is the Program Administrator (EdD) and Instructional Media Analyst for the Centre for Distance Education at Athabasca University. In 2006, Marguerite completed her Master of Distance Education through the Centre for Distance Education. For her thesis, she created a theoretical model outlining the characteristics of mobile learning and used that model to assess a collection of mobile devices. She is now just starting a PhD in E-Research and Technology Enhanced Learning with Lancaster University. Her two main interests include mobile learning and social networking.