A mobile learning journey in pacific education

Abstract

This chapter essays an exciting and ambitious journey on mobile devices to support tertiary student learning in the Pacific region. With the Pacific region adapting to the dynamic global “eduscape”, new initiatives and pedagogical tools have been adopted by leading tertiary institutions in providing quality education in the region. The University of the South Pacific, owned by 12 member countries, is one such entity which looks into innovative and sustainable approaches to improving the accessibility of higher education in the region, relying on and leveraging heavily on the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) and eLearning. The mobile learning initiative is a branch of this greater ICT adoption which focuses on the use of mobile devices to support learning and teaching. The mobile learning initiative stands on three pillars: just-in-time, just-for-me and just-enough learning. The tool invariably supports learners inside and outside classrooms, in structured and unstructured learning spaces. At the University of the South Pacific, it has been 5 years since the inception of the mobile learning programme and four integrated approaches, namely, Short Message Service, edutainment, mobile course modules and tablet-based learning have been introduced to its education system. These tools have been developed in-house and customised to meet the demands of the regional institution. The strengths, challenges and opportunities of the mobile learning tools are highlighted with analytics, interventions and adaptive works from this short journey.