Emerging Research on Student Engagement with Mobile Learning

Primary Presenter: Tina Parscal

Organization: University of the Rockies

Role: Provost

Track: Research Presentation

Level: For Mere Mortals 

Abstract: The University of the Rockies developed an empirical model to measure student engagement with a mobile learning tool. This presentation will address a literature gap pertaining to research on CoI and mobile users' behaviors/preferences. We will present data from an exploratory mixed methods study, and address how use of the mobile device supports teaching, cognitive, and social presences, and how device usability, learner, and social aspects support engagement in learning.

Bio: Dr. Parscal joined University of the Rockies in May 2009 as Director of Academic Quality. Previous appointments include serving as the founding director of education and professional studies programs for the Colorado State University-Global Campus, associate professor and assistant director of Distance Education at Regis University, and academic dean for the International School of Information Management.

Description: The University of the Rockies is measuring student engagement with a mobile learning tool that integrates Communities of Inquiry (CoI) framework (Garrison, Anderson, & Archer 2000, 2001) and the Framework for the Rational Analysis of Mobile Education ([FRAME], Koole 2009, Koole & Ally 2006). A review of the current literature revealed a gap pertaining to research on CoI and mobile users’ behaviors and preferences. This literature gap is problematic given the rapid growth of mobile technologies in online education and the importance of teaching presence, cognitive presence, and social presence in supporting engagement in learning, as described below. Primary research was undertaken to address: Can a mobile learning application increase student engagement? The findings of the study may be beneficial to academic leaders in support of development of new mobile applications, new features, and improvements to the learning platform to increase student engagement in learning. An effective mobile application may improve retention by increasing student and faculty engagement and participation, increasing accessibility, and fostering communication; improving responsiveness; increasing services to students and faculty members and raising their satisfaction; and increasing access to advisors and improving communication, including alerts and reminders. Participant outcomes for the session include:

a) Understand how use of the mobile device supports teaching, cognitive, and social presence;

b) Understand how device usability, learner, and social aspects support engagement in learning;

c) Identify new applications, new features, and improvements to existing learning platforms to increase engagement in learning

d) Evaluation of an empirical model to assess learning and engagement with mobile applications.