The Integration of Portable Technology to Enhance Lifelong Learning Skills

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to evaluate whether or not Arabic female students perceived some benefits of using iPods as a learning tool. The project was conducted over a six week period. Female student from the College of Business and Economic and the English Foundation program were provided with an iPod Nano to use anytime at their convenience as a learning tool. The task required that all student access iTunes to select audio-visual resources that they thought would be suitable to deepen their understanding of the course materials. Using case study research method the data collection approach included a weekly survey to record their daily use of the iPod. Four hypotheses targeting iPod use were defined. The findings indicate that for these particular groups of Arabic female students using iPod as a learning tool was beneficial. The evidence warrants further research in the constraints and affordances of mobile technology, as experienced by Arabic students.