The launching is in line with USM’s mission to enhance the field of higher education by becoming the pioneers of new programmes such as teaching and learning through the use of mobile learning (M-learning) methodology.
The coordinator of the M-learning Programme, School of Distance Education, Dr Issham Ismail said that the setting up of the centre will ensure that matters connected to teaching and research and which are directly or indirectly lnked to M-learning will run smoothly.
He added that it is also in line with the development of the M-learning course that was first offered in USM under the full-time Postgraduate Programme (Master’s and PhD) by PPPJJ since 2008.
“The first batch of students under the programme will be graduating at the 42nd Convocation Ceremony this August. This clearly is proof that the course is developing and has achieved its objectives to extend the scope of M-learning in USM,” he said.
He said this at a press conference in conjunction with the International Conference on E-learning (ICEL 2010). Yhe conference saw more than 100 participants including international participants from South Africa and United States of America. Also present was the Chairman of ICEL 2010, Prof. Rozhan M. Idrus.
ICEL 2010 is a platform for scholars and telecommunication experts to come together to discuss achievements in research in the field of e-learning including M-learning.
Issham added that the M-leatning methodology has great potential to be developed in a wider context as it utilizes the Short Messaging Service (SMS) system.
“As we know, the cost of sending a sms is very low, and if we have the cooperation of all parties concerned, including the telecommunication companies, it can be provided free of charge, especially for the enhancement of knowledge.
“We are also going to propose to the Ministry of Higher Education to extend the M-learning methodology to all universities as the cost is much less compared to the conventional methods,” he explained.
He added that besides the cost which is very low, the cellphone ownership rate in this country is very high, that is, 101 percent. This is far higher compared to the ownership of computers and other electronic gadgets.
