Title: Mobile learning usability comparison between the US and Chinese online education

Authors: June Wei; Hongmei Zhang; Jun Zhuo

Addresses: College of Business, University of West Florida, 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola, FL 32514, USA. ' Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. ' School of Management, Zijingang Campus, Zhejiang University, No. 388, Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, China

Abstract: The objective of this paper was to compare usability features that were crucial in mobile learning between US and Chinese online education. Specifically a mobile learning value increasing model with five modules was developed. Then a mobile learning questionnaire was mapped from this model focusing on the usability features. Data were collected from 266 subjects in the USA and China. Results showed that both groups agree that six M-learning modules are all important to assist M-learning. Mobile learning service is the most important while M-learning outbound logistics the least for both groups. Further, mobile learning operation only indirectly affects M-learning service, and mobile learning service is directly affected by M-learning marketing in both groups. The results will assist mobile learning system (re)design to improve M-learning performance.

Keywords: m-learning; mobile learning; mobile technologies; cellular communications; e-learning; electronic learning; online learning; internet; world wide web; online education; value chain management; USA; China; United States; usability comparisons; usability features; learning modules; outbound logistics; learning services; marketing; system redesign; learning performance; universities; higher education; graduate students; undergraduate students; innovation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIL.2013.050584

International Journal of Innovation and Learning, 2013 Vol.13 No.1, pp.96 - 120

Published online: 31 Jul 2013 *

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