Utilization of mobile phone in enhancing learner support services for distance education programmes: a case of mount Kenya university, Kenya

Abstract

Rapid advancement of information and communication technology enables to produce more mobile devices. Most of distance education students need access to study materials, communications tools and further learning materials not only at home and in their working places, but for example on travels. The purpose of this study was to examine the utilization of mobile phone in enhancing learner support services in distance education programmes at Mount Kenya University, in Kenya. In order to fulfill this purpose, the study was guided by four objectives. The objectives included: establish the utilization of text messages in enhancing learner support in distance education; examine utilization of email in enhancing learner support in distance education; determine the utilization of voice call in enhancing learner support in distance education; establish the utilization of social media in enhancing learner support in distance education. Reviewed literature indicates that mobile phones are gradually supporting distance education in many areas. However, there are some areas where the use of mobile phone as a learner support system can only be conceived in relation to the institutional values. This tends to limit exploration of the advantages of the mobile phones hence making distance education ineffective for some learners with phones that meet the needs of distance education. The study adopted descriptive survey research design that supported quantitative and qualitative approaches. This facilitated the use of questionnaires to collect data from sample comprising of 5 lecturers, 250 students and 03 administrators. Collected data was analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. Quantitative data was analysed descriptively by use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) while qualitative data was analysed thematically. The analysed quantitative data was presented using frequency distribution tables while analysed qualitative data was presented in themes based on the opinion given. Findings showed that the lecturers, students and administrators had phones that were used depending on their needs. However, utilisation was ineffective due to attitude and perceptions. In addition, although the information was related to learning, it had insignificant contribution to the entire learning process as a learner support tool. The study recommended that mobile phones should be fully integrated in the entire distance education learning system