Human factors considerations in mobile learning management systems

Abstract

The rapid development in Internet and mobile technologies had an influence on education and learning processes that led to emergence of mobile learning as potential part of learning management system. Many individual learners and instructors, in some cases, entire education providers are gravitating towards the adoption of mobile learning through comprehensive learning management systems (LMS) for managing courses contents and enhancing learners’ education process. This research involves the development and validation of a survey that used to study 23 distinct Omani higher education providers empirically. A total sample of 806 university and higher college students and instructors participated in this study. A correlated six-factor Flexibility, Suitability, Enjoyment, Impact, Social and Economic were found to be as human influencing factors. Four different learning management systems Moodle, Blackboard, Schoology and Edmodo have been compared and evaluated in respect of the selected human factors. The effort is part of an Omani-funded research project investigating the development, adoption and dissemination of M-learning in Oman.