ERIC Number: ED633767
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 135
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-3795-6336-3
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
An Investigation into Higher Education Students' Attitudes toward M-Learning: An Interpretive Descriptive Study
Walker, Clive Beresford
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Northcentral University
The current conditions concerning the use of mobile technology in higher education suggest mobile devices such as smartphones will soon be integrally relied on to support formal and informal student learning. However, the formal use of mobile technologies in higher education has yet to establish a notable foothold, and m-learning pedagogical principles remain unevolved. The problem of the study is that, despite the proliferation of smartphones in higher education settings, higher education teachers are unable to incorporate the use of smartphones for m-learning into their teaching practices due to the underdevelopment of m-learning pedagogy. The purpose of the study was to examine higher education students' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions toward m-learning. The study used a conceptual framework based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) and the concepts of self-efficacy and perceived enjoyment. Participants were recruited on the social media platform Reddit. Participants were eligible if they were at least 18 years old, had completed at least one semester as a full-time college student, and owned an internet-connected smartphone that they used daily. Purposive sampling was used to select 12 participants. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and an interview guide. Data were coded and thematically analyzed through a six-phased approach and with the assistance of NVivo software. Several themes emerged for each of the three research questions. The findings suggest three practices that teachers should acknowledge to facilitate the use of smartphones for m-learning. Teachers should ensure that students perceive that using a smartphone for m-learning is useful, user-friendly, and convenient. Teachers should encourage their students to use smartphones for m-learning, inside and outside of class, as well as advise their students on how to effectively use smartphones for m-learning. Teachers should strive to ensure that their school provides adequate internet access and technical support for m-learning. Future qualitative research could investigate the usage habits and opinions that specific groups of higher education students or teachers have toward using smartphones for m-learning. Future quantitative research could investigate the relationships between certain uses of smartphones for m-learning and other variables such as academic achievement. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: College Students, Student Attitudes, Telecommunications, Handheld Devices, Educational Technology, Technology Integration, Knowledge Level, Self Efficacy, Psychological Patterns, College Faculty
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A