An investigation on mobile technology adaption in private schools

Abstract

Mobile technology has become an important tool to use in many private schools. Private schools are increasingly finding new and exciting ways to use mobile technology to facilitate teaching and learning. The purpose of this study was to investigate how teachers in private schools adapt to using mobile technology in their teaching and learning. It aimed at finding out whether mobile technology has aided them in their teaching and whether they find it beneficial to use. A qualitative research approach was used which included collecting data from semi-structured interviews and reviewing lesson plans provided by the participants. This aimed at finding teachers’ perceptions and views on their adaptation to the use of mobile technology. The population included eight high school teachers from three different private schools situated in Centurion, Gauteng. Selection of the population and sample was based on the teachers’ use of mobile technology in their teaching and their willingness to participate in the study. Atlas.ti was used to analyse the data, which are presented through descriptions and illustrations. This study found that teachers had a positive perspective on using mobile technology in their teaching. Many of the teachers found that using mobile technology improved their teaching and that learners improved their learning. Through sufficient training and involvement by schools’ IT (information technology) departments, teachers showed an interest in finding a variety of ways to use mobile technology in their teaching. Another finding revealed that teachers need to adapt to using mobile technology as it is advancing at a rapid pace.