Development of mobile application upon mechanical engineering students’ learning styles

Abstract

Abstract The use of technology in this era of globalisation is growing from day to seconds. Mobile learning or also known as m-learning is commonly heard lately as we are in the 21st century of education. Mobile applications developed are to enhance m-learning among students. Henceforth, making students engaged to m-learning is only possible when we had identified their learning styles. Current paper presents the development of mobile application for Polytechnic Mechanical Engineering Students (PolyMES) based on the previous analysis of learning styles among premier polytechnic mechanical engineering students in Malaysia. The aim of this study is achieved whereby the design for PolyMES is developed according to these mechanical engineering students’ learning style. The mobile application developed requires the understanding of students’ learning style to enhance m-learning. PolyMES is designed to be user friendly application that enables students to study the subject at their own space. They can read the simple notes with related video and images. In addition, students are able to test themselves with the quiz and exercises given and also view the list of formulas and symbols with sample calculation as a practice. The features available in PolyMES designed to suit students’ different types of learning styles. As known every individual has their own learning styles of retaining new information and skills. Hereby, PolyMES design is developed to cater students using smart phones at various learning style and might be useful for further implementations of m-learning.