REVISTA DYNA NEW TECHNOLOGIES

Key words:

Mobile Learning (m-learning), Formación Profesional, Comunicación Móvil, Educación, M-learning, vocational training, mobile learning, technological literacy, mobile communication, teaching, secondary education, computer applications

Article type:

ARTICULO DE INVESTIGACION / RESEARCH ARTICLE

Section:

RESEARCH ARTICLES

ABSTRACT:
This research shows the results of diagnostics on the m-learning technology penetration in the teaching-learning process, carrying out a field study in an innovative centre Vocational Training located in Autonomous Community of the Basque Country, Spain. Although there are numerous scientific studies on this technology in education, there is a lack of analysis about its possible impact on academic performance in relation to this mentioned education level. Hence, this paper aims to analyse the state-of-the-art of "m-learning" in education and develop a reliable methodology to assess its use in an educational institution in order to increase its academic efficiency and effectiveness. For this purpose, a survey was designed with multiple choice questions and content related to this technology and 110 teachers were taken as a real sample. Then, two-dimensional indicators matrix methodology was chosen to analyse the data. The lack of standardized methodologies for the "m-learning" utilization was taken as the main hypothesis for its current inefficiency in education processes. The results confirmed this hypothesis and give some key points, such as the existence of a strong motivation related to this technology among teachers, although their training is not yet sufficient in terms of the current knowledge on technological options as well as development platforms to apply them in the communicative process of teaching and learning.

Keywords: M-learning, vocational training, mobile learning, technological literacy, mobile communication, teaching, secondary education, computer applications