The Effect Of Mobile Technology On Learning

2290 Words5 Pages

2. Methods For this study two qualitative methods were conscientiously chosen to provide data rich in detail and a more subjective and personal view of the effect of mobile technology, of which statistical data is unable to do. The 'in-depth, intensive approach ' of qualitative methodologies enabled a greater insight to the habits and feelings of students in regards to their mobile phone use (Limb and Dwyer, 2001; 6). For both the methods two locations across Lancaster University were chosen, the library and a personal study space. They were chosen methodically with the attached, and usually unwritten, rules of mobile phone usage in each area in mind. The first of the methods, was participant observation. Over several days observations of student 's mobile phone use in the library were kept in a diary. Whilst it was difficult to always know what the phones were being used for, most notably whether for educational purposes, the emphasis of the observations were the interactions the students had with their phones whilst in an environment centred on learning. I also felt that this method highlighted how the communication between students was affected or influenced by the use of mobiles. For the second location, the personal study space I made short notes on my own usage. This enabled a deeper, subjective connection between mobile technology and learning to be understood as my feelings as the student was noted. The use of visual methods allowed the participating students to show their feelings and understanding of how mobile technology effects their study in a creative way that gives great insight to how exactly they feel a mobile phone can be beneficial to their studies, or in some cases how it might not be. 5 participants, chosen... ... middle of paper ... ...dia. It is also noticeable that the ways in which mobile technology can be useful whilst studying can be split into two groups, ways that directly aid and ways that indirectly aid. The most common of the indirect aid for both the library and personal study space was the use of music, enabling a student to concentrate more and ultimately taking shorter breaks between work. The general overall perception by students is that whilst mobiles can be a problem if it provides constant distractions, but also can be rest in between work, helping them to work harder and more efficiently. Both of the research methods show the importance m-learning applications, specifically the university 's own app, iLancaster. The many ways in which students utilised this application on the phones reinforces Hamid and Ghulam 's research on m-learning being a valuable tool in education (2014).

Open Document