Mobile learning and graduate development

programme

Survey study was conducted among final year students who attended Graduate Development Programme (GDP) workshops

Results:

63% are soon to be graduated on the courses they do not like

61% have little knowledge about the job opportunities of their courses

54% have not yet started hunting for jobs

Significant others

71% chose the courses themselves

18% by friends

It is these results that prompted the Career Development Unit to use mobile learning

What it mobile learning?

‘Malley, et.al (2003) defined mobile learning as “Any sort of learning that happens when the learner is not at a fixed, predetermined location or learning that happens when the learner takes advantage of the opportunities offered by mobile technologies.”

“The exploration of ubiquitous handheld technologies, together with wireless and mobile phone networks, to facilitate, support, enhance and extend the reach of teaching and learning” (MoLeNET, 2011).

How is it helping students?

Currently on WiSeUp

1. Up load career related magazines CDs on WiSeUp

2. Make announcements on WiSeUp to students to fetch hard copies

3. Announce GDP activities such as career expos, business plan workshops, CV writing, interviews etc.

4. Discussion forums

Possibility Explored

1. Social net work (face book)

GDP group is created on face book for final year students

The aim is to communicate with students anywhere even after they have graduated

2. Short Message Services (SMS) will be used to accommodate students who do not have smart phones to access WiSeUp and face book

Challenges:

Few students open the academic advising page on WiSeUp rather, we get concerns that they see it in their courses yet they are not doing it.

Challenges:

Some students do not have smart phones

Recommendations:

Encourage students to visit WiSeUp career advising course

Departments: to encourage students to visit career advisers especially first and final year students

THANK YOU

tkalake@wsu.ac.za