Online learning has enjoyed strong growth and development over the last two decades, and at the same time, mobile technologies have become an indispensable part of our lives. Even as the boundaries of access to higher education have been diminishing and our lives have become more mobile, educational technology has been slower to harness the full benefits of that mobility. Accessing and participating in an online course with a mobile device is the foundation of mobile learning, and this behavior is increasing among college students. Scholarship on mobile learning theory assumes fluidity of learning in time, content, and context, and that learning is mediated through technology. However, much of the current research on online engagement or student success does not factor in the mode of access. Understanding the connection between mobile learning and student engagement is important for the development of the theory and scholarship of mobile learning, online learning, and student success online. But also, understanding the impact of mobile learning on student engagement is made even more consequential now because of shifts to virtual, hybrid, and online learning caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic.
This session will present research findings on the impact of mobile learning use on engagement and student success in fully online courses. The presentation will have 2 primary aims: to describe the research design and to describe and discuss the findings and implications of the research.
Dr. Sarah Nichter is a life-long advocate for student success in college, both in the classroom and beyond the classroom. She is passionate about bridging the gap between what faculty do and how students respond to that, and is passionate about students being active participants in their learning. Sarah is currently the Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at The University of the Cumberlands where she is also an Associate Professor of English.