Virtual learning environments for mobile learning: Constrained by infrastructural and sociological boundaries?

Abstract

This paper describes and discusses two issues which limit the delivery of mobile learning from assisting in disseminating course and module information to higher education students. The concept of delivering information to support learning is designed to augment their engagement with their subject areas and ultimately enhance their learning experience by allowing for increased flexibility in their access to learning materials. The paper concentrates on both the infrastructural and sociological issues associated with providing VLE access from a mobile or flexible position. Using mobile widgets, network coverage data and student's responses to understand the potential benefits and limitations of using mobile devices to access information from the VLE. Discovering the majority of students are without a dedicated application or mobile website, coupled with inept network access this paper investigates the apparent constraints of a promising method of disseminating information to learners.