Impacts of mobile learning technology on children’s education: parents’ perspective for children with special reference to Kalmunai

Abstract

In this new era of technology children are more exposed to high technology even at an early age with smartphones, smart watches, tablets, laptops and e-reader being some dominant choices as observed by many instructors and parents. The capability with the latest technology can surely cover the way for marvelous learning opportunities. Every time new mode of technology is invented, say it from television to computers to mobile devices, it always presents some new building as an educational tool for the junior children. The use of mobile learning is recognized as a tool that can foster the knowledge and experiences for this age and the support of specific areas according to the educational perspective. Nowadays there are more educational sites are being set up for students than ever before. With children spending frequently many hours a day with these technologies, there are certain concerns which parents have regarding technology use for children. In this paper we have conducted a survey with the parents of primary school age children aged 6 to 11 years. Kalmunai, Ampara District in Sri Lanka. For this research study, 150 parents from the different backgrounds have been approached who had children in the range of 6 to 11 years. We requested the participants to fill the questionnaire according to their perspective about the use of mobile device for children and what they practice in their lives. This paper is an aim to identify the impact s of mobile learning technology in children education from parents’ perspective and also the use of mobile learning technology for children and specifically in the environment of education by using educational or learning app for children and the guidance in order to overcome the concerns of parents and to increase the accessibility of mobile learning technology in education for young children.