Evaluating Mobile-Centric Readiness of Higher Education Institutions: The Case of Institutional Policies and Information Systems Students
Date
2015-12-15
Authors
Chipangura, Baldreck
Van Biljon, Judy
Botha, Adele
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
LINK Centre, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Johannesburg
Abstract
Many higher education students live and operate in mobile-centric environments. The question is whether the policies of higher education
institutions (HEI) are aligned with students’ readiness for mobile technology information access and interaction. To investigate this question
from a policy perspective, nine policies from the open and distance learning (ODL) university in South Africa were analysed for providing
institutional mobile-centric support. Policy document analysis was used to evaluate five information and communication technology (ICT)
polices and four teaching and learning policies. The analysis focused on how the policies support the provision of mobile infrastructure,
technical support and learning resources. To investigate from the students’ perspective, quantitative data was captured on Information
Systems students’ readiness through a survey of a total of 129 respondents from the same university. The mobile-centric readiness of students
was evaluated based on factors that could affect the readiness of students in accessing and interacting with mobile-centric services. The factors
investigated were infrastructure ownership, knowledge of mobile phone features and mobile phone Internet activities. The findings revealed
that Information Systems students are ready to use mobile phones as tools for information access and interaction, but some inadequacies were observed in the way the policies support the students’ needs. This study proposes some recommendations on how the policies could better support students’ mobile phone information access and interaction.
Description
Keywords
mobile-centric services, mobile information access, mobile readiness, policies
Citation
Chipangura, B., Van Biljon, J., & Botha, A. (2015). Evaluating mobile-centric readiness of higher education institutions: The case of institutional policies and information systems students. The African Journal of Information and Communication (AJIC), 15, 4-13. https://doi.org/10.23962/10539/19946