Teaching via Mobile Phone: a Case Study on Malaysian Teachers’ Technology Acceptance and Readiness

Issham Ismail, School of Distance Education, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia
Siti F Bokhare, School of Distance Education, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia
Siti N Azizan, School of Distance Education, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia
Nizuwan Azman, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify the level of technology acceptance among school teachers from the components of awareness and motivation, training and courses, training design, and supports and facilities. This study also aims to investigate whether teachers’ acceptance of technology could influence their readiness for the pedagogical use of mobile phone technology if it is to be implemented in school. A quantitative questionnaire was administered to thirty eight teachers who teach Information and Technology (IT) subject from different primary schools in Penang, Malaysia during a program on Teachers’ Development. Data revealed that the level of technology acceptance among respondents in terms of awareness and motivation, training and courses, training design and supports and facilities was generally high. Despite this positive acceptance of technology, teachers’ readiness for the use of mobile phone in teaching and learning was found to be at a considerably low level. However, the study identified a significant correlation between respondents’ awareness and motivation towards technology with their readiness for the pedagogical usage of mobile phone. It was also found that gender is a possible factor influencing the respondents’ readiness. As implication, this paper probes the influence of technology acceptance on teachers’ readiness for the pedagogical usage of mobile phone and the possible implications this influence affords.

Keywords:

Teacher, Technology acceptance, Mobile learning, M-Learning, Readiness, Mobile phone software