Paper
—Effects on Saudi Female Student Learning Experiences in a Programming Subject Using Mobile…
Effects on Saudi Female Student Learning Experiences in
a Programming Subject Using Mobile Devices:
An Empirical Study
https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v17i13.38439
Afrah Alanazi
1
(
)
, Alice Li
2
, Ben Soh
1
1
Department of Computer Science and Information Technology, La Trobe University,
Melbourne, Australia
2
Department of Management, Sport and Tourism, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
aoalenzy@ju.edu.sa
Abstract—
There is a dearth of research on how mobile learning (m-learning)
could help Saudi female students perform better
in computer programming
courses. This paper measures the educational experiences of Saudi female stu-
dents using an empirical study based on a framework for m-learning in a com-
puter programming subject. The empirical study sample was 21 female students
who used the ViLLE software tool in their quizzes in a programming class. This
study used a quantitative survey, including some open-ended questions, to collect
data. The study results showed that students were satisfied
with their m-learning
experience. The degree of satisfaction demonstrates how mobile devices can en-
hance learning in a computer programming subject.
Keywords—
programming, mobile learning, learning experience, Saudi Arabia
1
Introduction
Traditional teaching methods, such
as taking notes on paper, are used by Saudi fe-
male computer science students. These methods are less engaging than learning with
technology. In contrast, Saudi male students are permitted to use gadgets like comput-
ers and mobile phones, allowing greater interactions and better comprehension of the
material [1]. This has led to a digital divide in computer science between the two gen-
ders [2]. Papadakis [3] emphasises that sexism in education can be reduced with proper
teaching methods.
To encourage
better classroom setups, Saudi Arabian institutions have recently
started permitting female students to bring their devices to class
1
to make learning topics
like computer science and programming more fascinating and engaging for them. As the vast
majority of Saudis own mobile devices, mobile-based learning and teaching methodologies
have become easier to use [4], [5]. Since both lecturers and students can access these
tools for better communication, integrative strategies are used in colleges where women
1
https://english.pravda.ru/news/world/138816-saudiwomen/
44
https://www.i-jim.org
Paper
—Effects on Saudi Female Student Learning Experiences in a Programming Subject Using Mobile…
predominate, supporting a hands-on approach to improve learning comprehension [6]. Many
studies [7], [8], [47] have demonstrated the various benefits of mobile learning (m-learning)
in computer programming. Female-only universities in Saudi Arabia must adopt cutting-
edge teaching and learning strategies, such as m-learning. No studies have been pub-
lished on Saudi female computer programming students’ exposure to m-learning. Thus,
this study is guided by the following question:
•
Has the proposed evaluation
framework, Mobile Learning for Computer Program-
ming (MoLeCoP), helped to improve female student performance in computer pro-
gramming subjects by the end of the semester?
The primary objective of this paper is to assess the learning
experience of students in
the treatment group and evaluate the adoption of the MoLeCoP framework on the degree
of satisfaction among Saudi female programming students. The remaining
sections in the
paper provide a literature review, the
proposed theoretical framework, the study
method, the results and a discussion.