Conceptual model of mobile learning application for kindergarden children

Mobile Learning Application (MLA) refers to the use of mobile devices in delivering learning content using the advantages of mobile devices. Unfortunately, some drawbacks pertaining to such application have circumvented its use and purpose in classrooms. Two main problems are identified and highlighted in this study; i) problems found within the existing MLA and ii) lack of incorporation of mobile learning related concepts and theories in MLA development for children. Therefore, this study has fulfilled four main objectives; i) to analyse and identify the potential MLA model related concepts and theories, ii) to develop and validate a conceptual model by incorporating all potential MLA association related concepts and theories, iii) to develop MLA by implementing all elements incorporated in the conceptual model, and iv) to evaluate the MLA in terms of usability and effectiveness. In this particular research, a total of eight important variables which are mobile application technology, usability, layout, content, navigation, touch gesture, pedagogy and scaffolding derived from a number of significant theories and concepts related to mobile learning have been incorporated into the MobChild conceptual model. The validation of MobChild conceptual model indicated that all the variables included in the model had been indeed significant for implementation in developing the MFolktales mobile application. Hence, all the variables that made up the conceptual model had been employed in the development of MFolktale. Finally, the application was tested to determine both its usability and its effectiveness. For that purpose, the usability evaluation comprised of a questionnaire instrument that involved 153 respondents and the Quasi Experimental Design was employed to determine the effectiveness ofthe application among 90 kindergarten students divided into 3 groups. The results obtained from the usability evaluations showed that the MFolktales mobile application had successfully satisfied the usability criteria, whereas the result retrieved from the effectiveness evaluation demonstrated that the students scored better mean marks when the MFolktales mobile application was utilized