ABSTRACT

The use or smartphone as a learning tool in education is on the rise causing the rapid mobile learning (m-leaning) usage in both the developed and the developing countries. In this research study, a mobile learning app for the university students has been developed and its usability evaluation has been conducted. The findings revealed that the mobile learning was efficient and effective, and the users were satisfied. Useful and easy to use apps may enhance the chance of m-learning technology acceptance among the users. Few models related to in-learning do exist but use of the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) towards m-learning acceptance is scant in the context of higher education institutes. Specifically in Pakistan. Therefore, this research study not only used the UTAUT2 as base model but also extended it by integrating five other relevant constructs: ubiquity, information quality, system quality, appearance quality and satisfaction. A cross-sectional survey has been conducted in two universities of Pakistan. The results show that the model fits data well and the model fit indices were within the recommended thresholds. The performance expectancy, hedonic motivation, habit, ubiquity and satisfaction have significant impact on the behavioral intention and information quality, system quality and appearance quality also have significant impact on the mediator satisfaction towards m-learning acceptance. The proposed model explained 27.6% variance in the behavioral intention. Beyond the importance of m-learning technology acceptance, actual use of the technologies is essential. So in this study, the learning outcomes of the higher education students were assessed using the app for the period of one semester. An experiment was conducted to measure the learning outcomes of the students. In each group (experimental and control), 106 students were selected using random sampling technique. The learning outcomes were measured by means of a standard test in the form of standard pre-test/post-test. The results show that there was statistically significant difference between the experimental group and the control group in their post-test results. The results suggest that the app has positive influence on the learning outcomes of the students.
Keywords: Mobile learning app, Usability testing, System usability scale,
M-learning acceptance, UTAUT2, Learning outcomes