Towards Blended Learning: Students' Perceptions and Experiences of Mobile Learning in South Africa

Mobile learning has become an essential element of teaching and learning during Covid-19 when universities moved online due to lockdowns. Post the pandemic; many universities have retained an element of online learning to increase access to educational resources. Students have used mobile devices to access teaching and learning due to the convenience of the technology provided. At the same time, higher education institutions subsidized access by providing data or zero-rated services to the students. While m-learning facilitates student learning and collaboration, it remains a challenge to properly integrate mobile devices into the learning environments. This paper aims to investigate students' perceptions and experiences of m-learning post the Covid-19 pandemic. The study used a quantitative survey approach to collect data from a higher education institution in the Eastern Cape. A sample of 293 students was surveyed, representing a response rate of 73.3%, and analyzed, making use of descriptive statistics. The results found that mobile learning was positively perceived by students as it was easy to use and provided flexible study time and access to learning resources. Activities that mobile learning was used for included emails, online classes and conducting research for assignments. Students indicated that collaboration and engagement were difficult in the mobile learning environment. Students were pro-active in their studies and able to self-direct and manage their time. The recommendation is that lecturers need to be intentional about including interactive activities during mobile learning and develop the self-management skills of students so that they can be proactive about their studies.