Octennial Review (2010-2018) of Literature on M-Learning for Promoting Distributed-Based Medical Education in Sub-Saharan Africa

Authors

  • Abdullahi Abubakar Yunusa Usmanu Danfodiyo University,Sokoto. http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7077-8828
  • Irfan Naufal Bin Umar Universiti Sains Malaysia
  • Brandford Bervell University of Cape Coast

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v20i2.4121

Keywords:

mobile learning, distributed learning, medical education, Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Medical education in Africa is in desperate need of reforms, evident in widespread diseases, and an inability to mobilise and train the required medical workforce to deal with these health issues. However, the exponential rise in the use of mobile technologies due to the spread of the Internet and increased telecommunication networks offer an opportunity for the transformation of medical education and practice through the deployment of mobile devices as a medium for learning and conveying health care services to the remote and resource-constrained locations of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This paper reviewed articles on the affordances of m-learning for distributed medical education in SSA published between 2010-2018. Results from 18 articles identified in the review revealed a slow-paced ascendancy of practice and research in the field; it further exposed competing priorities, infrastructural deficit, and chronic workforce shortages as the bane of m-learning implementation in the subregion. This paper makes recommendations that will enhance the growth of mobile-based distance medical education and practice in SSA.

Author Biographies

Abdullahi Abubakar Yunusa, Usmanu Danfodiyo University,Sokoto.

PhD student at the Centre for Instructional Technology and Multimedia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia. He is also a Lecturer at the Department of Curriculum Studies & Educational Technology. Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto Nigeria.

Irfan Naufal Bin Umar, Universiti Sains Malaysia

Professor at the Centre for Instructional Technology and Multimedia and Director at the Division of Academic Quality Assurance, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia. He has extensive research and teaching expertise in applied sciences and technologies, specifically in educational technology such as e-learning; computer-based teaching and learning; general ICT applications in education and instructional design.

Brandford Bervell, University of Cape Coast

Has just completed his PhD at the Centre for Instructional Technology and Multimedia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia. He is also a Principal Researcher at the E-learning and Technology Unit of the College of Distance Education and a facilitator of educational technology courses at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana.

Published

2019-04-30

How to Cite

Yunusa, A. A., Bin Umar, I. N., & Bervell, B. (2019). Octennial Review (2010-2018) of Literature on M-Learning for Promoting Distributed-Based Medical Education in Sub-Saharan Africa. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 20(2). https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v20i2.4121

Issue

Section

Literature Reviews