TEACHERS’ AND STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS TOWARDS THE USE OF MOBILE PHONES AS A TOOL FOR OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING IN TANZANIA

Ayoub C KafyuliloDar es salaam University College of Education

&Petra Fisser

University of Twente

Paper presented at the DEASA International conference for open and distancelearning, from 30th September to 2nd October 2011, in Dar es salaam, Tanzania

INTRODUCTION Efforts to integrate technology in education in

Tanzania started in 1997 This is the period when the first computer

syllabus was introduced in schools However these efforts encountered some

challenges: Lack of technological tools in most of the schools Lack of a policy for technology in education Lack of skilled teachers Lack of reliable supply of electricity in most schools Limited access to internet

INTRODUCTION

For a developing country like Tanzania where technology is not well embraced; a mobile phone becomes a vital ICT tool in schools

Mobile phones are affordable to large community of Tanzanians in terms of both cost and usability.

A mobile phone offers varieties of user options: internet, radio, video, audio, camera, mp3 etc.

In addition, a mobile phone is handy; making it user friendly beyond the classroom walls.

PROBLEMS AND RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Studies have shown that mobile phones use in education in Tanzania, is limited.

Thus, our interest is to find out;What is the level of accessibility of mobile phones

to teachers and students? To what extent are mobile phones used in both

teaching and learning processes?How do teachers and students perceive mobile

phones as a tool for teaching and learning?

METHODOLOGY

The present paper is an outcome of two independent studies carried out at DUCE in 2010 and Kibasila secondary school in 2011

At DUCE, the study adopted the action research design while at Kibasila a survey research design.

29 pre-service teachers and 4 instructors from DUCE; also 12 teachers and 40 students from Kibasila participated in the study.

Data were collected by using teachers’ and instructors’ interview as well as pre-service teachers’ and students’ questionnaire.

FINDINGS

Technological tool DUCE KibasilaM (SD) M (SD)

Computer (PC or laptop) 2.34 (0.55) 1.89 (0.83)Radio 2.21 (0.86) 2.02 (0.74)Audio Equipment (Mp3) 1.34 (0.67) 1.04 (0.97)iPods 1.24 (0.58) 1.06 (0.98)Mobile Phones 2.73 (0.94) 2.48 (0.88)Digital Camera 1.40 (0.54) 1.25 (0.65)Television 1.97 (0.82) 1.71 (0.87)

Accessibility to various technological tools to both pre-service teachers and school students

USE OF VARIOUS TECHNOLOGICAL TOOLS IN LEARNING AT DUCE AND KIBASILATechnological Tool DUCE Kibasila

M (SD) M (SD)Personal Computers 3.34 (1.72) 2.46 (1.43)Radio 3.17 (1.79) 2.23 (1.29)Audio equipment (Mp3) 2.16 (1.74) 1.64 (1.61)iPod 1.59 (1.38) 1.48 (1.08)Mobile Phones 2.03 (2.18) 1.25 (1.23)Digital photo camera 2.48 (1.72) 1.35 (1.42)Television 3.00 (2.20) 2.40 (1.92)

PERCEPTIONS OF PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS ON MOBILE PHONES USE

M SDThe use of mobile phones in learning is interesting 4.62 0.50Design of the lesson with a mobile phone was of interest 4.38 0.57Mobile phones have enhanced my pedagogical competency 4.42 0.58Mobile phones have enhanced my technology competency 4.54 0.71The use of mobile phones enhance my thinking on how technology can transform learning

4.69 0.55

If I learn how to use mobile phones I will use it in my classroom

4.50 0.65

Mobile phones can replace computers 3.88 1.31Since I know about the use of mobile phone in teaching, I will use technology in teaching

4.46 0.65

PERCEPTIONS OF SCHOOL STUDENTS ON THE USE OF MOBILE PHONES IN LEARNING

M SDI am interested to learn by using a mobile phone 4.05 0.97Mobile phones can make me more involved in learning 4.43 0.84Use of mobile phones can simplify learning 4.58 0.68Mobile phones can help me to learn beyond a classroom 4.10 1.01Through a mobile phone I can learn after classroom hours

4.32 1.07

Mobile phones can help me to answer difficult questions 4.25 0.95A mobile phone can replace computer and other learning technologies

3.63 1.50

The use of a mobile phone saves time 4.50 0.64I feel comfortable to learn by using a mobile phone 4.73 0.51

LECTURERS’ AND INSERVICE TEACHERS’ PERCEPTIONS TOWARDS MOBILE PHONES IN TEACHING

Both lecturers and inservice teachers admit to have not learned to use mobile phones in teaching

Lecturers were willing to use mobile phones if they learn on how to use them

School teachers on the other hand had serveral reservations over mobile phones use in teaching.

Some of these reservation were:

I don’t know how I can use a mobile phone in teaching

Teachers are not allowed to communicated withstudents through a mobile phone

Our school laws prohibit mobile phones amongstudents

The government banned mobile phones in schools Mobile phones are the source of students’

misbehaviours Mobile phones draw away students attention to

learning

CONCLUSIONS From the findings of this study, a mobile phone

is the most accessible technological tool in Tanzania

There is a limited use of mobile phones in teaching and learning in both university and in schools

At university level, lecturers and preserviceteachers are willing to use mobile phone as a learning tool

At school level, students are willing to use a mobile phone for learning while teachers are still reserved.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite its handy, accessibility and affordability, mobile phones are not accepted in schools foruse in learning.

Teachers are not allowed to communicate withstudents, this can hinder the opportunity forlearning beyond the classroom walls

The current teachers’ attitude towards mobile phone technology acts as a set-back towardsthe development of open and distance learningin the lower level of education

RECOMMENDATIONS

To bring the concept of open and distancelearning in the lower level of education, a change should start at a government level

Teachers should also be exposed to the multitude of learning opportunities providedthrough the learning flexibility offered by a mobile phone.

For a country with poorly resourced schools like Tanzania, a mobile phone can be a solution at hand for technology developmentin education.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

KARIBU SANA TANZANIA