Comparative Analysis of Mobile Learning Applications for Higher Education in Low-Bandwidth Environments

Abstract

In today's world, there is an advanced focus on mobile learning (m-learning) in higher education which has created
enhanced forms of flexibility and accessibility. Unfortunately, learners who function within a low-bandwidth context
still struggle with rich content access and the ability to shift between activities smoothly. In this study, we analyze
four popular mobile learning applications—Moodle Mobile, Edmodo, Coursera, and Khan Academy—and compare
them based on their effectiveness in low bandwidth environments. Through an experimental low-bandwidth setting,
the study is centered around applications’ ability to meet set performance standards which include load time, data
consumption, offline functionality, and overall user satisfaction. The study’s outcome is achieved through evaluation
combining solid metrics and subjective feedback from users. We found that in terms of offline availability and data
reduced use, Khan Academy and Moodle Mobile excel the most. Although offering more content, Coursera has the
drawback of higher bandwidth. Edmodo provides a middle ground, but with limited offline capabilities. This
underscores the need to rethink and enhance mobile learning solutions among learners across the globe. Finally, the
paper proposes principles for low-bandwidth design optimization and outlines future work on adaptive content
delivery.