A New Mobile Learning Model in the Context of the Smart Classrooms Environment: A Holistic Approach

Mobile learning is a new learning landscape that offers opportunity for collaborative, personal, informal, and students’ centered learning environment. In implementing any learning system such as mobile learning environment, it is important to understand challenges that affect its implementations in a particular culture. Additionally, learners’ and instructors’ expectations are deemed necessary for consideration. However, there is a lack of studies on this aspect, particularly in the context of Kuwait HE institutions. This research presents opportunities and prospects of m-learning, and discusses challenges and implications facing its implementation. The authors of this paper conducted a study in Kuwait HE to examine both students’ and instructors’ perceptions and attitudes toward this trend of learning, to evaluate its effectiveness, and to investigate cultural and social challenges that affect the implementation of m-learning in Kuwait HE. A questionnaire was administered to 499 students and 110 Instructors from different higher educational institutions in Kuwait. The results reveal that students and instructors have positive perceptions of m-learning, and believe that m-learning enhances the teaching and the learning process. The study reports some social and cultural issues that may act as barriers to m-learning implementation.

Understanding the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in academic institutions is crucial given Kuwait’s commitment to innovation and educational excellence. This study explores the integration of AI into higher education in Kuwait, revealing both positive perceptions and critical concerns. Qualitative insights from faculty and students highlight AI’s potential to improve learning across multiple academic disciplines. Quantitative data, collected from 310 students, shows that a majority of students hold optimistic views on AI’s effectiveness in enhancing educational processes and project-based activities. However, concerns were raised about the ethical implications, high costs, data privacy, and the complexity of AI tools. Importantly, no statistically significant difference was found between male and female students’ views on AI’s role in education. These findings are significant for policymakers and educators, guiding how to address practical and ethical challenges while facilitating the effective incorporation of AI into the educational system.

The state of Kuwait has implemented a national e-learning initiative that included the distribution of mobile devices (Tablets) to be used by students and educators. Understanding the obstacles which currently prevent a successful roll-out, implementation, and adoption of mobile learning methods in Kuwait is vital. The opportunities for learners are particularly essential in this respect, and an absence of research remains an issue as far as Kuwait is concerned. This research was carried out within Kuwait Higher Education (HE) facilities to assess students' opinions and motivations for adopting this form of learning, aiming to analyse its efficacy and explore the social factors and gender issues that might impact extending mobile learning (m-learning) potential throughout Kuwait. A questionnaire has been central to this research, sent out to 620 students in total. Two statistical methods, an analysis of variance (ANOVA), and an independent-sample t-test, have been applied. The latter is essential for assessing if any statistical significance exists between two unrelated groups (male and female being the two independent variables). The results reveal disparities of age and gender while highlighting certain social and cultural factors that might prove to be obstacles that m-learning will need to overcome. A firm analysis of such issues will enable improved approaches to help learners' access and make the most robust m-learning methods.

Purpose: This paper reviews related literature, including models and frameworks that focus on the skills of the digital instructor in the innovative learning environment. The study also tries to identify, key areas and missing factors, and thus locate digital skills and future avenues for education and satisfy the needs of digital-age learners. Theoretical framework: Information technology will have a significant impact on education if operated properly by competent and capable instructors. The accelerated application and investment in technology have altered education, and instructors play a crucial role in the transition to 21st-century learning standards and methods. This is especially important because the future will be dominated by artificial intelligence (AI), advanced technology, and automation, which will require the next generation of employees to be tech-savvy. Therefore, this study will locate digital skills for instructors and provide recommendations and a road map that support both the advanced technological tools and the new innovative learning strategies in the context of human resource management. Design/Methodology/Approach: The researchers took a literature review as a method to determine the current situation, success factors of online learning, instructors’ skills in the context of HRM. In addition, a qualitative analysis was conducted in the form of a focus group discussion, to spotlights on issues related to instructors needs to practice their roles in the e-learning environment. Findings: The results of this study have provided evidence that instructors' proficiency in IT “Digital Instructors” will transform teaching and learning to satisfy the 4th industrial revolution which is based on digital skills and contribute to the digital economy. Originality/Value: The results of this study are expected to be useful input for policymakers in education to be more courageous in making decisions when investing in IT resources and human resources “Instructors” in order to create superior and competitive teaching and learning environment. A framework is proposed in this study with consideration of HRM issues that will work effectively to enhance the role of digital education in society and contribute to the development of the educational process.