SMS-Based Mobile Learning System: A Veritable Tool for English Language Education in Rural Nigeria

Posted by MarkWeingarten on Jan 13, 2011
Author: 
Nwaocha, Vivian Ogochukwu
Publication Type: 
Report/White paper
Publication Date: 
Dec 2010
Publication language: 
English
Abstract: 

In sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in rural Nigeria, students in high school face the challenge of lacking exposure to English. For most, English language class are the only opportunity for learning English. Consequently, English skills are poor.

On the other hand, the use of mobile phones in Nigeria has continued to soar, with everyone having at least one mobile phone and Short Messaging Service (SMS) becoming the cheapest and regular mode of communication across different socio-economic spheres. Thus, there is great potential for this technology to be used as an instructional tool.

In this study, an SMS-based mobile learning system is employed in teaching high school students English. In order to determine if there were significant differences between students' success rate, pretests were administered to the experimental and control groups, after both received classroom instructions from the same Instructor. Subsequently, post-tests were administered to both groups, after the experimental and control groups had received SMS-based instruction and extra classroom instructions respectively. A paired sampled t-test was carried out and the results clearly revealed that after receiving the SMS-based instruction, the experimental group performed better than their counterparts who had received additional classroom instructions.

Countries: 
Citation: 
Nwaocha, Vivian Ogochukwu. (2010) SMS-Based Mobile Learning System: A Veritable Tool for English Language Education in Rural Nigeria, paper presented at ICTD2010, 13th-16th December 2010, Royal Holloway, University of London
SMS-Based Mobile Learning System: A Veritable Tool for English Language Education in Rural Nigeria data sheet 2692 Views
Author: 
Nwaocha, Vivian Ogochukwu
Publication Type: 
Report/White paper
Publication Date: 
Dec 2010
Publication language: 
English
Abstract: 

In sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in rural Nigeria, students in high school face the challenge of lacking exposure to English. For most, English language class are the only opportunity for learning English. Consequently, English skills are poor.

On the other hand, the use of mobile phones in Nigeria has continued to soar, with everyone having at least one mobile phone and Short Messaging Service (SMS) becoming the cheapest and regular mode of communication across different socio-economic spheres. Thus, there is great potential for this technology to be used as an instructional tool.

In this study, an SMS-based mobile learning system is employed in teaching high school students English. In order to determine if there were significant differences between students' success rate, pretests were administered to the experimental and control groups, after both received classroom instructions from the same Instructor. Subsequently, post-tests were administered to both groups, after the experimental and control groups had received SMS-based instruction and extra classroom instructions respectively. A paired sampled t-test was carried out and the results clearly revealed that after receiving the SMS-based instruction, the experimental group performed better than their counterparts who had received additional classroom instructions.

Countries: 
Citation: 
Nwaocha, Vivian Ogochukwu. (2010) SMS-Based Mobile Learning System: A Veritable Tool for English Language Education in Rural Nigeria, paper presented at ICTD2010, 13th-16th December 2010, Royal Holloway, University of London

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