Abstract:

The way education was delivered to student has gone through a lot of changes. The fast growth of wireless mobile network has supported mobile learning concept as a new way of instructional methods. Learning activities are integrated by utilizing the mobile technologies. Mobile learning is the next phase in the evolution of e-learning in the education world. Mobile could be seen as portable and personal. Hence, mobile learning could include the use of mobile phones, smart phones or even personal digital assistants (PDA). Anytime, anywhere way of study could be provided; hence, could enhance the current traditional face-to-face practices. This paper reported an evaluation to a mobile learning prototype system on data communication course. The prototype system, enable students to view the course content, read notes, sends feedback, check announcement and do the exercises. On the other hand, lecturers also can update notes and exercises, and post announcement through the system. The prototype has been tested to ensure its accuracy; the three types of testing done are unit testing, integration testing and system testing. These are to ensure that the system is functioning well. In addition to that, in order to get feedback on the system usefulness, a set of user interface satisfaction questionnaire was distributed among the second year computer science students at the School of Engineering and Information Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sabah. The purpose of giving away the questionnaire was to find out the end user opinion regarding the system’s usefulness, ease of use, ease of learning and their satisfaction when using the system as well as to get their feedback on what is the negative and positive aspect of the system. The result from the questionnaire analysis indicates positive feedback on the usefulness of the mobile learning system. However, there are still more rooms that need improvement for the system to be fully utilized in teaching and learning activities.

Keywords:

Mobile learning, wireless network, instructional methods, user interface.