Teachers’ perception of mobile edutainment for special needs learners: the Malaysian case

Abstract

Study of Malaysian adoption of mobile learning (m-learning) is still in the early stages. However, there are numerous researchers in the country exploring the potential and application of m-learning in the Malaysian education system, including special education. A key question is whether teachers are prepared to incorporate mobile technology as part of their teaching tools or do teachers perceive mobile technology only as personal communication gadgets. This paper investigates teachers' perception of m-learning applications in special education classes. Interviews were conducted to collect related information on teachers' perceptions of m-learning in the selected schools. The teachers expressed that there are limited resources to cater to the attention of special needs learners and they believed edutainment technologies such as augmented reality, game-based educational software and animation projects could be the answer. The benefits and challenges of implementing blended learning for special education are also discussed. The paper concludes by summarising the current environment of m-learning in Malaysian special needs education, together with recommendations for future use of the technology.

Keywords:

• special needs learner
• teachers' experiences
• teachers' perception
• edutainment
• mobile learning

Acknowledgements

Our heartfelt thanks go to the Ministry of Education Malaysia, Division of Special Education, headmasters, teachers for this support and involvement in this review. We also thank the Education Technology Division (BTP Melaka) and Kemaman District Education Office who had shared the related data for the study. We would like to thank all the teachers and students involved in the studies conducted.

Funding

This project was funded by the Malaysian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

Notes on contributors

Mr Anuar Mohd Yusof is a lecturer from the Faculty of Creative Technology and Heritage, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan. He pursued his study in Institute Graduates Studies, University of Malaya. His areas of interest are on Edutainment Technology, Multimedia Learning, Animation, ICT in Education and Inclusive Education.

Prof. Dr Esther Gnanamalar Sarojini Daniel is from the Department of Mathematics and Science Education, Faculty of Education Building, University of Malaya. Her areas of interest are: The Teaching and Learning of Biology (Science Education; Cognition; Integration of Technology; Teaching approaches ) Science Education, Cognition in Science Education, Integration of Technology in Science Education, Teaching Approaches in Science Education (Science Education; Cognition; Integration of Technology; Teaching approaches) Educational Psychology (Cognition; Technology and Cognition) Environmental Citizenship; and Environmental Education and Training (Education; Citizenship).

Prof. Dr Low Wah Yun is a Professor in the Faculty Of Medicine Dean's Office, Faculty of Medicine Building, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. Her areas of interest are Relationship Counselling, Hypnosis, and General Counselling.

Associate Prof. Dr Kamarulzaman Ab. Aziz is from the Faculty of Management whose areas of interest are: Innovation, Technology Management, Technology and Society, Economics of Innovation, Clusters & Networks, Incubation Centers and Clusters for Innovation, Tech Cluster Theory/Practice (Silicon Valley & Imitators) Flows, Norms, Emergence, and Homeless Ideas/funds/etc.