Abstract:

Background: Use of mobile learning applications in higher education in Bangladesh is on an upward trend, but knowledge of the impact on academic learning and student involvement is until now very limited. Still, the socioeconomic factors, device availability and limited internet access may affect the use by students of these technologies.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the effects of mobile learning applications on academic performance as well as the engagement, obstacles, and their effects on academic motivation of Bangladeshi university students.

Methodology: Usage patterns, perceived barriers, and the effect of mobile learning apps on engagement and motivation as perceived by university students in Dhaka were investigated through a survey. Correlations between how often apps were used and academic performance were analyzed using the data.

Expected Results: It appeared that mobile learning applications positively increased student motivation and engagement. Nevertheless, expensive data plans, slow internet and unintuitive apps made it less suited for students with very little cash.

Conclusion: However, there is a potential for the mobile learning applications to improve academic results; but they need to be solution for usability and accessibility issues. Recommendations are brought out to improve the effectiveness with regard to the students coming from Bangladesh.

Keywords: Mobile learning, academic outcomes, student engagement, digital barriers, Bangladesh.