Discussion and Conclusion
Although the internet is widely used among Form 2 students, emails were not popular. Online discussion forums,
phone discussions and text messaging, which could encourage collaborative mLearning in science, were more
frequently used. The respondents had a positive perception towards computers for learning, but not mobile phones.
However, as ownership and use of mobile phones was high, the module would incorporate text messaging on mobile
phones.
An eclectic instructional design theory, like the First Principles of Instruction (Merrill, 2002) could be used to
design a module for collaborative mLearning. A main problem task in the module was designed to enable
collaboration, with discussions questions and quiz for activation, application, and integration of knowledge. An
instructional module with various media and links to relevant sites was included for demonstration of knowledge.
The experts agreed that the collaborative mLearning module could be implemented with some improvement.
The concerns that arose when the experts evaluated the module were mainly on the management and instructional
aspects. The concern on the management of the large amount of data was addressed by using a spreadsheet to
manage the responses, while the activities were done outside the classroom time. The module was improved to take
into account of the experts’ opinion in using shorter and simpler sentences, and emphasizing the accuracy of
content.
Further studies would be required on the implementation of the module to determine its usability among learners
in the context of the study. This study is important as it employed a developmental approach starting from the
analysis of the learners’ use and perception of technology. The module was designed based on the findings in the
analysis phase, and was evaluated by experts in the educational field to determine if it could be used for science
instruction.
The collaborative mLearning module according to the experts could be used in science instruction. One expert
stated the following:
“I want students to learn in a fun way, that they will enjoy learning and not doing it as a very heavy task,
probably for exam, I think they have enough of it from the teachers! It is good to give them something
interesting, at least it is like a reward to them. Make their time worth, you know.”