Mokhtar Abdelaziz, Ahmed and Oztok, Murat (2018) Developing employability and job-related skills at mobile learning environments : a case study at an industrial training centre. PhD thesis, Lancaster University.
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Abstract
This study investigates how mobile technologies play a role in the development of employability and job-related skills for trainees at Saudi Aramco’s Industrial Training Centres (SAITCs) in Saudi Arabia. Adopting a case study approach, qualitative and quantitative data was collected from 133 trainees and 29 instructors participating in an iPad training programme at SAITCs. The data was collected through semi-structured online questionnaires, interviews, onsite observations, and program documents. Findings of this study were linked to existing literature on mobile learning (M-Learning); especially in Vocational and Technical Education and Training (VTET) contexts. It is anticipated that the findings of this study will contribute to the community of researchers and educators in the field of educational research generally, the field of M-Learning, and VTET in particular, in a number of ways. Firstly, this study provides new insights on how mobile devices play a role in the development of employability and job-related skills in industrial training workplaces. Secondly, it offers a better understanding of the key aspects, dynamics, and features of M-Learning environments in the field of VTET. Third, it presents new insights on how mobile devices are linked with specific learning and teaching approaches and practices that have the potential to impact the learning and teaching experience. It is suggested that the findings of this study will have some impact on the perceptions and practices of curriculum developers and the pedagogical considerations of trainees and instructors in terms of learning and teaching with mobile devices. Finally, this research will offer some insights to Saudi Aramco policy makers and administrators that will enable them to improve the full implementation of the iPad program across the training centres.