A Review of Mobile Learning Considerations in Open Distance Learning and Access to Higher Education

Abstract

The advent of the ubiquitous mobile technology, the ever-changing interactive multimedia resources, and the mobility nature of the adult learners has galvanized the world-wide synergy of working towards the establishment of a global knowledge economy. This paper was informed by review of wide collection of literature that established how the mobile learning considerations in Open and Distance Learning influence access to higher education. The paper explains what; the everpresent nature of mobile learning characteristics, the andragogical factors, the organizational considerations, and the regulatory framework in Open and Distance Learning influence the access to higher education. The paper establishes that higher education institutions must consider improving technological infrastructure and incompatibility of mobile devices with learning management systems, provide modern mobile devices, improve instructors’ andragogical skills on m-learning, deal with instructors and students concerns and provide motivations incentives for m-learning.