"M-Learning Not an Extension of E-Learning:” Based on a Case Study of Moodle VLE

Abstract

In this paper, the authors present work that was carried out to develop an m-learning extension to a Moodle based VLE at the University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC) and its initial evaluation. They believed this new development could bring a value added service to learners and describe how mobile browsing, mobile applications and Short Message Service (SMS) were used to access learning resources and activities to interact with other users who were facilitating or following on-line courses. However, in their investigation, the authors discovered that m-learning cannot be promoted as a value added service for the current e-Learning based framework. Learners do not receive a significant benefit compared to the cost they incur to interact with the learning service. Both pedagogy and technical infrastructure must be considered together, not as an extension of existing services but to provide a new learning service for m-learning.