TEACHERS PERCEPTION ON MOBILE LEARNING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS LEARNER: A MALAYSIAN CASE STUDY

Anuar Mohd Yusofa, Esther Gnanamalar Sarojini Danielb, Wah Yun Lowc, Kamarulzaman Ab. Azizd aInstitute of Graduate Studies, University of Malaya, Malaysia bFaculty of Education, University of Malaya, Malaysia cFaculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Malaysia dFaculty of Management, Multimedia University, Malaysia

TEACHERS PERCEPTION ON MOBILE LEARNING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS LEARNER: A MALAYSIAN CASE STUDY

Outline of Presentation
Introduction Mobile Learning? Mobile Edutainment for Special Education Purpose of Study Sampling and Instrument Conceptual Model Finding Augmented Reality (AR) Game-based Learning Net-book Animation Project Conclusion and Future Work
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TEACHERS PERCEPTION ON MOBILE LEARNING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS LEARNER: A MALAYSIAN CASE STUDY

Introduction

A paradigm shift of the technology sector had occurred in the new era called "Communication Tools" era (Neo & Neo, 2000). Revolution of communication technology led to the explosion of mobile devices such as mobile phone, laptop, net book, smart tab and other devices. Adoption of mobile devices as tools for teaching, and learning. Mobile learning is now focusing on supporting the mobility and flexibility of the learning process among the young generation.

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TEACHERS PERCEPTION ON MOBILE LEARNING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS LEARNER: A MALAYSIAN CASE STUDY

Mobile Learning?

According to Trifonova & Ronchetti (2003), Mobile learning is a field which combines two very promising areas mobile computing and e-learning (p. 1794). M-learning is quite a new domain there is a lot of work and research that is being done on various aspects of the subject.

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TEACHERS PERCEPTION ON MOBILE LEARNING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS LEARNER: A MALAYSIAN CASE STUDY

Criteria of M-Learning
Highly portable Intuitive

Individual

Useful

Mobile Learning

Unobtrusive

Persistent Adaptable

Available anywhere

Criteria for m-learning technologies for lifelong learning (Sharples, 2000) Copyright Anuar Mohd Yusof

TEACHERS PERCEPTION ON MOBILE LEARNING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS LEARNER: A MALAYSIAN CASE STUDY

Mobile Learning?

The benefits and positive impacts of mlearning are still being questioned.

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TEACHERS PERCEPTION ON MOBILE LEARNING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS LEARNER: A MALAYSIAN CASE STUDY

Mobile Learning?

In Malaysia adoption of mobile learning is still in the early stages. Researchers in the country that are exploring the potential and application of mobile learning in the Malaysian education systems including special education . Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) system which was designed for students with autism (Song & Yusof, 2010; Yusof, Daniel, Abdullah, & Aziz, 2010).

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TEACHERS PERCEPTION ON MOBILE LEARNING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS LEARNER: A MALAYSIAN CASE STUDY

Mobile Edutainment for Special Education

...consists of two equally important parts: the format (entertainment) and the message/content (education) (White,2006,n.p). The word edutainment is derived from the combination of education and entertainment which refers to learning technology that engage their learning (Yusof, et al., 2010,p. 2304). Mobile edutainment is. when the edutainment application or modules are delivered or operated using mobile devices
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TEACHERS PERCEPTION ON MOBILE LEARNING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS LEARNER: A MALAYSIAN CASE STUDY

Mobile Edutainment for Special Education

A critical factor is the selection of the right mobile device to suit the needs of special education and the learners. Suitability can be determined by teachers familiarity with the devices and whether they have the capabilities to use the mobile devices as a tool for teaching. However, the teachers willingness and preparedness to adopt and implement m-learning is a more critical success factor.
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TEACHERS PERCEPTION ON MOBILE LEARNING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS LEARNER: A MALAYSIAN CASE STUDY

Purpose of Study

Investigates the teachers perception on mobile learning application in special education classes The benefits and challenges of implementing blended learning for special education were also discussed The paper concludes by conceptualized the scenario in the special education and the technology that can be recommended.
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TEACHERS PERCEPTION ON MOBILE LEARNING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS LEARNER: A MALAYSIAN CASE STUDY

Sampling and Instrument

The departments directed the researchers to a number of schools and four schools that met the selection criteria were selected. Two from each state. A total of ten special education teachers were interviewed. An open ended and informal interviewing strategy were adopted to create a relax atmosphere conducive for the teachers to candidly share their knowledge, experience, opinion and perception on m-learning for special needs learner.
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TEACHERS PERCEPTION ON MOBILE LEARNING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS LEARNER: A MALAYSIAN CASE STUDY

Conceptual Model

Conceptual Model of Blended Learning in Special Education with Mobile Edutainment (Modification from (Yusof, et al., 2011)) Copyright Anuar Mohd Yusof

TEACHERS PERCEPTION ON MOBILE LEARNING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS LEARNER: A MALAYSIAN CASE STUDY

Finding
Each student has different level of abilities. The teachers used difference teaching method to meet individual student needs. Limited resources in terms of tailored interactive content, facilities and equipment. The teachers themselves have limited knowledge on how to incorporate the mlearning technologies in their teaching. Normally, there are specified timeframe for completion of the various lessons prescribed in the national syllabi.
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TEACHERS PERCEPTION ON MOBILE LEARNING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS LEARNER: A MALAYSIAN CASE STUDY

Augmented Reality (AR)

Augmented Reality (AR) is a variation of virtual environment which also called Virtual Reality (Azuma, 1997).
Monitor-based AR Conceptual Diagram Azuma (1997, p. 13)

Majority of the teachers interviewed expressed interest in the potential of using AR as part of learning tools. They saw the potential of AR as an exciting and fun teaching aid. Limited resources in terms of tailored interactive content, facilities and equipment.

Mobile-based AR Conceptual Diagram (modification from Azuma (1997, p. 13) )

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TEACHERS PERCEPTION ON MOBILE LEARNING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS LEARNER: A MALAYSIAN CASE STUDY

Game-based Learning
Game-based learning also can be another element to encourage the students and capture their focus (Chuanga, Leeb, Chena, & Choua, 2009; Embi & Hussain, 2005; Green & McNeese, 2007; Yusof, et al., 2010). Teachers all agreed that gaming elements will help capturing the attention of the special needs students. The teachers also expressed some concern; they worry that students would play the same games only and not really learn their lessons. Limited number and variety of games for special needs education.
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TEACHERS PERCEPTION ON MOBILE LEARNING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS LEARNER: A MALAYSIAN CASE STUDY

Net-Book Animation Project

Net-book is a mobile devices that can be taken anywhere and operate anytime (Leung & Chan, 2003; Motiwalla, 2007; Seong, 2006; Sharples, 2000) The mobility of net-books can used for education purposes, namely, animation project students using online animation tool to create their own animations (Yusof & Aziz, 2010; Yusof & Song, 2010). Teachers lacking experience, knowledge and skills to use animation tools, how to develop the appropriate lesson plan suitable for special education. Time is needed to train the teachers, and the students. Teachers agreed that animation projects may help the students to gain skills such as computer literacy, animator skills, drawing skills and communication skills.
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TEACHERS PERCEPTION ON MOBILE LEARNING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS LEARNER: A MALAYSIAN CASE STUDY

Conclusion and Future Work

Teachers perception of m-learning for the special education is that it is still in the early stages. Teachers all agreed that gaming elements will help capturing the attention of the special needs students. A lot still need to be investigated and explored before m-learning can be implemented in the schools for the special needs learner. Teachers were excited and positive towards the technological possibilities discussed above. Various technological options should be developed and then tested in schools. teachers opportunities to experience it and post-interview can be conducted to know their perception again. Therefore, modification and improvement can be done based on the recorded user experiences.
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TEACHERS PERCEPTION ON MOBILE LEARNING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS LEARNER: A MALAYSIAN CASE STUDY

Any Suggestion?
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TEACHERS PERCEPTION ON MOBILE LEARNING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS LEARNER: A MALAYSIAN CASE STUDY

Thank you

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TEACHERS PERCEPTION ON MOBILE LEARNING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS LEARNER: A MALAYSIAN CASE STUDY

References

Aronson, J. D. (2001). The Communicatios and Internet Revolution Retrieved May 13, 2011, from http://www-bcf.usc.edu/~aronson/comm_internet.pdf Azuma, R. T. (1997). A Survey of Augmented Reality. Teleoperators and Virtual Environments, 6(4). Chuanga, T. Y., Leeb, I. C., Chena, W. C., & Choua, C. C. (2009). Use of Digital Console Game for Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Paper presented at the Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Computers in Education [CDROM], Hong Kong. Embi, Z. C., & Hussain, H. (2005). Analysis of Local and Foreign Edutainment Products An Effort to Implement the Design Framework for an Edutainment Environment in Malaysia. Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching, 24(1), 27-42. Green, M., & McNeese, M. N. (2007). Using Edutainment Software to Enhance Online Learning. International Journal on E-Learning, 6(1), 5-16. Horton, J. L. (2002). The Internet Revolution: It came. It went. It's here. Retrieved March, 20, 2011, from http://www.online-pr.com/Holding/TheInternetRevolution.pdf Leung, C. H., & Chan, Y. Y. (2003, 9-11 July 2003). Mobile learning: A new paradigm in electronic learning. Paper presented at the 3rd IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies (ICALT 03), Athens, Greece.

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TEACHERS PERCEPTION ON MOBILE LEARNING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS LEARNER: A MALAYSIAN CASE STUDY

References

Motiwalla, L. F. (2007). Mobile learning: A framework and evaluation. [doi: 10.1016/j.compedu.2005.10.011]. Computers & Education, 49(3), 581-596. Neo, M., & Neo, T. K. (2000). The Mighty PC: Pcs in the Multimedia Age. UEP Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia: Meway Computec Sdn Bhd. Ponter, D., & Brown, L. (2007). Creating A Digital New Zealand: New Zealands Digital Content Strategy Retrieved July 6, 2009, from http://www.digitalstrategy.govt.nz. Seong, D. S. K. (2006). Usability Guidelines for Designing Mobile Learning Portals. Paper presented at the The 3rd Conference on Mobile Technology, Applications and Systems. Sharples, M. (2000). The Design of Personal Mobile Technologies for Lifelong Learning. Computers and Education, 34, 177193. Sharples, M., Corlett, D., & Westmancott, O. (2002). The Design and Implementation of a Mobile Learning Resource. Personal and Ubiquitous Computing, 6, 220-234. Song, H., & Yusof, A. M. (2010). A Current Review of the Use of Mobile Technology to Enhance Learning and Communication Among Children with Developmental Disabilities. Paper presented at the EDULEARN10 Conference, Barcelona, Spain. Trifonova, A., & Ronchetti, M. (2003). Where is Mobile Learning Going? Retrieved May 1, 2011, from http://www.trifonova.net/docs/Where%20is%20Mobile%20Learning%20Going%20(ELearn2003).pdf

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TEACHERS PERCEPTION ON MOBILE LEARNING FOR SPECIAL NEEDS LEARNER: A MALAYSIAN CASE STUDY

References

White, R. (2003, January, 3 2009). That's Edutainment. Retrieved July, 20, 2010, from http://www.whitehutchinson.com/leisure/articles/edutainment.shtml at the ICERI 2010: International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation, Madrid, Spain. Yusof, A. M., Daniel, E. G. S. A., Abdullah, S. L., & Aziz, K. A. (2010). A Current Review Of The

Use Of Edutaiment Applications To Promote Alternative Approaches In Addressing Adhd.

Paper presented at the 2011 International Conference on e-Commerce, e-Administration, eSociety, e-Education, and e-Technology (e-CASE & e-Tech 2011), Tokyo, Japan. Yusof, A. M., Daniel, E. G. S. A., Abdullah, S. L., & Aziz, K. A. (2011, August 19-21). Teachers

Perceptions on the Blended Learning Environment for Special Needs Learners in Malaysia: A Case study. Paper presented at the 2011 2nd International Conference on Education and

Management Technology, Shanghai, China. Yusof, A. M., & Song, H. (2010). E-Project Based Learning Using Animation in Primary Schools. Paper presented at the EDULEARN10 Conference, Barcelona, Spain.

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