Mobile Learning in Higher Education: Mapping Perceptions and Practices of Online Students

Abstract

Mobile-learning is still an emergent field of research, especially if we consider the scope of higher education (HE). In fact, few studies have been developed with regard to higher education contexts, namely within Open Universities [1], [2], [3], [4]. Given the importance of studying mobility in real learning contexts, we aim at studying the perceptions that higher education students have about mobile and non-mobile devices and also how they describe their uses and practices in different types of interactions in online courses at a Distance Virtual University. In this context it was intended to know a) what are the students' perceptions about the affordances of various mobile and non-mobile devices, and b) what types of devices do students prefer to use in interactions with teachers, with other students and with contents. The data obtained in this study show that there is some discrepancy between students' perceptions of mobile devices, their educational potential and their actual use. The actual use of mobile devices seems to be much more conservative than we would be led to assume from the discourse of learning everywhere at any time with any device.

Using Mobile Technologies Among Undergraduate Nursing Students for Academic Purposes in Tertiary Education

“…Mobile technologies play an important role in the economies of most countries 25–27 . In education, mobile devices are moving from simple tools of communication into instructional delivery platforms, whereby they are used for teaching and learning 28,29 . The integration of technology in nursing education allows students to use ICT devices to support their learning 30 .…”

“…[25][26][27] In education, mobile devices are moving from simple tools of communication into instructional delivery platforms, whereby they are used for teaching and learning. 28,29 The integration of technology in nursing education allows students to use ICT devices to support their learning. 30 Mobile devices such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets are used by students to search for information, do schoolwork, communicate with peers and nurse educators, share learning materials, and prepare lessons.…”