Title: High school teachers' perspectives on applying different mobile learning strategies to science courses: the national mobile learning program in Taiwan

Authors: Chui-Lin Lai; Gwo-Jen Hwang

Addresses: Graduate Institute of Applied Science and Technology, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, 43, Sec. 4, Keelung Rd., Taipei 106, Taiwan ' Graduate Institute of Digital Learning and Education, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, 43, Sec. 4, Keelung Rd., Taipei 106, Taiwan

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate how high school teachers use different mobile learning strategies in science courses with a blended mobile learning model. A national mobile learning program has been conducted in Taiwan since 2013 for training the teachers in 38 selected high schools to develop teaching plans based on ten mobile learning strategies. It was found that most of the science teachers (40%) preferred utilising guided learning in their usual learning activities. Furthermore, video sharing (14%) and inquiry-based learning (14%) were also conventional learning strategies. In the meantime, 57% of the teachers looked forward to implementing issue-based discussion and project-based learning in their future teaching activities. This finding indicates the gap between the teachers' ability and their expectations. Consequently, it is inferred that implementing mobile learning activities in teaching contexts is feasible and expected. Moreover, additional teacher training programs for mobile learning are required.

Keywords: blended mobile learning; mobile technology support; teaching strategies; secondary education; m-learning; mobile learning strategies; high schools; teacher perspectives; science education; Taiwan; teacher training; guided learning; video sharing; inquiry-based learning; issue-based discussion; project-based learning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMLO.2015.070704

International Journal of Mobile Learning and Organisation, 2015 Vol.9 No.2, pp.124 - 145

Received: 26 Feb 2015
Accepted: 16 May 2015
Published online: 20 Jul 2015 *

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