1. Increasing throughput and success rate in open and distance learning using mobile technology: A case study By Nkhangweleni Patrick Mafenya

2. INTRODUCTION Throughput is an issue in our education system
Many students join the university but few go through the system
Question is WHY?
High dropout and high failure rate in DE
Not enough student support in DE
Many students are isolated
Inadequate communication between the university and the students

3. Mobile learning needed to improve throughput
Introduce mobile learning using mobile technology e.g. mobile phone
Many studies conducted on mobile learning
How mobile phone can be used to access and communicate with students in rural South Africa?
Technological infrastructure not well developed in the rural areas of South Africa
Few people have PCs but most of them have mobile phones

4. Problem Statement There are many researches and studies on mobile devices and mobile technologies, but exploration on the use cell phones to increase throughput and success rate in this field is limited. (Stead,2006) ; (Suplido., Bonito,. Escubio.; and Mariano, 2003); (Taylor, 2001); (Sandars, 2006); Librero, 2006)

5. Theoretical framework
Theoretical and pedagogical foundations that can define the role of mobile learning in the context of DE
Transactional Distance Theory
Transactional distance theory is an educational theory that defines the critical concepts of distance learning. It presents a definition of distance education which implies the separation of teachers and learners (Moore, 2007). This theory is defined by the fact that distance is considered not only as geographical separation but as a pedagogical concept (Moore, 2007)

6. Transactional theory continues
The theory enables the inclusion of both types of education, that is, a program in which the sole form of communication is through technology and where technology-mediated communication is ancillary to the classroom (Moore, 2007). The inclusive nature of transactional distance theory and its applicability and flexibility illustrates its important contribution to the framework for mobile learning.

7. THE RESEARCH METHOD
The study used an integrative qualitative case study with the purpose of establishing a set of guidelines for use by academics and policy makers regarding throughput and success rate in distance education.
Research Question: Could the short message system (SMS) be used as an effective means to communicate with students to increase throughput and success rate in DE?
Theoretical basis of the question was student support in distance education (Thorpe, 2001) (Tait, 2000) (Makoe, 2010)

8. METHOD
Single cohort (undergraduate students) was used to investigate student throughput and success rate using mobile technology (Cell phone in particular).
Students contacted were those registered for BA(ODL) at Unisa
Students were contacted through SMSs and they were expected to respond through SMSs

9. RESEARCH FINDINGS
As the aim was to explore the possibility of using mobile technology in DE the study revealed that:
Use of mobile technology can enhance the learning experience of undergraduate students in DE
95% of students who participated have cell phones and was found that it is a viable instrument for teaching and learning.
Most students indicated that they have benefited from the SMSs sent to them by their lecturers
The SMSs have closed the gap that exists between them and the university.

10. FINDINGS CONTINUE
Students suggested the use of SMSs in other courses
Use of mobile technologies can facilitate socialization or can serve as a support mechanism for students.

11. CONCLUSION
Study was intended to inform those seeking to adopt mobile learning as a means of communicating with our distance education students
Study found that the use of mobile phones in SA distance education has increased in the last few years
Cell phone usage for learning has proved to be beneficial for both instructors and learners, not only as a cost-efficient method, but as an effective educational tool.
It is therefore important to focus on the effective use of this technology.

12. Thank you