The Construction and Validation of an M-Learning Framework for Online and Blended Learning Environments

With the wide adoption of mobile technologies, new opportunities exist with regard to how these technologies can be used to support teaching and learning. However, there is limited empirical evidence on the use of mobile learning (m-learning) frameworks that support adult students in online and blended learning environments and consider ways to support administrators, faculty, and students in the adoption of mobile technologies for teaching and learning.The goal was to develop and validate an m-learning framework capturing the administrative, communication, and instructional elements that must be considered when integrating m-learning technologies to support adult community college students. Using design and development research methods, an m-learning framework was constructed and validated. Based on the literature review and the results of the data analysis, the framework was developed and included three sections: major categories; needs within categories; and attributes of the needs. Each section is composed of at least one of those major categories: section 1 composed of Access and Security; section 2 composed of Applications and Instructional Materials; and section 3 composed of Control and Monitoring Systems. Combined, all three sections account for five major categories. The final m-learning framework was design to include specific guidelines to help administrators and faculty make decisions about the adoption of m-learning technologies to support teaching and learning in online and blended learning environments.