PapersFlow Research Brief
Mobile Learning in Education
Research Guide
What is Mobile Learning in Education?
Mobile Learning in Education is the use of mobile technologies such as cellphones, smartphones, and tablets to support teaching and learning in higher education settings.
This field encompasses 73,237 works focused on integrating mobile devices with teaching and learning processes. Research covers student perspectives on learning with cellphones, smartphones, and social media, as examined by Gikas and Grant (2013). Studies also analyze the effects of mobile devices on students' learning performance through meta-analyses, such as Sung et al. (2015).
Topic Hierarchy
Research Sub-Topics
Mobile Learning Readiness Assessment
This sub-topic evaluates institutional, instructor, and student readiness for m-learning adoption through surveys and frameworks. Researchers identify barriers like infrastructure and digital literacy.
Personalized Mobile Learning Systems
Focuses on adaptive apps using AI for individualized content delivery and lifelong learning paths. Studies measure engagement, retention, and personalization via user modeling.
Mobile Collaborative Learning
Examines group-based m-learning via apps supporting synchronous/asynchronous interaction and shared artifacts. Research analyzes social dynamics, equity, and knowledge co-construction.
Mobile Language Learning Applications
This area studies apps like Duolingo for vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation via spaced repetition and gamification. Evaluations include efficacy meta-analyses and learner attitude shifts.
Impact of Mobile Devices on Learning Performance
Conducts meta-analyses and experiments on smartphones/tablets' effects on grades, motivation, and cognitive outcomes. Investigates variables like device ownership and integration strategies.
Why It Matters
Mobile learning enables integration of devices like smartphones into higher education, influencing student attitudes and performance. Sung et al. (2015) conducted a meta-analysis showing positive effects on learning performance from integrating mobile devices with teaching. Gikas and Grant (2013) documented student perspectives, revealing how cellphones and social media support learning in higher education. These applications extend to language learning and collaborative environments, as indicated by the field's keywords and descriptions.
Reading Guide
Where to Start
"Mobile computing devices in higher education: Student perspectives on learning with cellphones, smartphones & social media" by Gikas and Grant (2013), as it directly presents student views on practical use of mobile devices in higher education, providing an accessible entry point.
Key Papers Explained
Gikas and Grant (2013) establish student perspectives on mobile devices in higher education, which Sung et al. (2015) build upon with a meta-analysis quantifying performance gains from device integration. Prensky (2001) in "Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants Part 1" provides foundational context on students' adaptation to digital tools, informing Wang and Hannafin (2005)'s design-based research for technology-enhanced environments. Anderson and Shattuck (2012) further refine design-based research methodologies applicable to mobile learning designs.
Paper Timeline
Most-cited paper highlighted in red. Papers ordered chronologically.
Advanced Directions
Current research emphasizes effects of mobile technology on teaching performance and personalized lifelong learning tools, as reflected in the 73,237 works. No recent preprints or news coverage indicate ongoing focus on established areas like student attitudes and ubiquitous computing integration.
Papers at a Glance
| # | Paper | Year | Venue | Citations | Open Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants Part 1 | 2001 | On the Horizon The Int... | 10.4K | ✓ |
| 2 | Current status, opportunities and challenges of augmented real... | 2012 | Computers & Education | 2.4K | ✕ |
| 3 | Design-based research and technology-enhanced learning environ... | 2005 | Educational Technology... | 2.1K | ✕ |
| 4 | Advantages and challenges associated with augmented reality fo... | 2016 | Educational Research R... | 2.0K | ✕ |
| 5 | Design-Based Research | 2012 | Educational Researcher | 2.0K | ✕ |
| 6 | Bringing computational thinking to K-12 | 2011 | ACM Inroads | 1.6K | ✕ |
| 7 | The effects of integrating mobile devices with teaching and le... | 2015 | Computers & Education | 1.5K | ✓ |
| 8 | Handbook of Research on Educational Communications and Technology | 2013 | — | 1.4K | ✓ |
| 9 | Affordances and Limitations of Immersive Participatory Augment... | 2008 | Journal of Science Edu... | 1.4K | ✕ |
| 10 | Mobile computing devices in higher education: Student perspect... | 2013 | The Internet and Highe... | 1.3K | ✕ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What effects do mobile devices have on student learning performance?
Sung et al. (2015) performed a meta-analysis and research synthesis on integrating mobile devices with teaching and learning. The study found positive impacts on students' learning performance in both classroom and outdoor settings. Mobile devices such as laptops, PDAs, and phones serve as effective learning tools.
How do students perceive mobile computing devices in higher education?
Gikas and Grant (2013) explored student perspectives on learning with cellphones, smartphones, and social media in higher education. Students reported these devices facilitate anytime access to learning resources and collaboration. The paper highlights their role in enhancing educational experiences.
What is the scope of research in mobile learning in education?
The field includes 73,237 works on topics like student perspectives, personalized mobile technologies for lifelong learning, and mobile learning readiness. It covers technology integration in higher education, language learning, and collaborative learning. Ubiquitous computing's impact on education is also addressed.
How does mobile learning relate to design-based research?
Wang and Hannafin (2005) discussed design-based research in technology-enhanced learning environments, applicable to mobile learning designs. Anderson and Shattuck (2012) reviewed design-based research as a methodology bridging research and practice in education. These approaches support development of mobile educational tools.
What role do mobile devices play in collaborative learning?
The field examines collaborative learning through mobile technologies in higher education. Keywords include collaborative learning and ubiquitous computing integrated with mobile devices. Prensky (2001) contextualizes digital natives adapting to such technologies in educational settings.
Open Research Questions
- ? How can mobile learning readiness be accurately assessed across diverse higher education contexts?
- ? What are the long-term effects of ubiquitous mobile computing on student attitudes toward lifelong learning?
- ? How do personalized mobile technologies best support collaborative language learning in higher education?
- ? What design principles from design-based research optimize mobile device integration for teaching performance?
Recent Trends
The field maintains a corpus of 73,237 works with sustained interest in higher education applications, as shown by high citations for papers like Sung et al. with 1486 citations on mobile device effects.
2015Prensky remains highly cited at 10436, signaling enduring relevance of digital native concepts.
2001No recent preprints or news in the last 12 months suggest stable rather than rapidly expanding trends.
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