Students support mobile technology to improve learning

Released 09/09/2010

Survey reveals that most students find mobile technology makes learning more fun

A new report released today from LSN shows overwhelming student support for using mobile technologies to support learning, with 96% of those surveyed claiming it helped them learn.

The research, carried out amongst participants of the Mobile Learning Network (MoLeNET), also states that 98% found mobile technology made learning more interesting.

As well as making learning more engaging, mobile technologies are also making teaching and learning more flexible, with students reporting that the technology enables them to learn in a wider range of places (90%) and wider range of times (89%) than they would otherwise be able to.

Mobile technology doesn't just get the support of students, 93% of teachers are of the opinion that it helps learning, with 100% of those questioned either strongly agreeing or agreeing that it increases engagement, interest and motivation and makes learning more enjoyable. In addition, 94% of teachers believe that mobile technologies help them to tailor lessons to meet the needs of individual learners.

PASSION AND COMMITMENT

Commenting on the results, Ashley Garner assistant principal of e-Learning at Redbridge College in Essex said: "Mobile technologies were introduced across a range of our courses including NVQ2 Hairdressing and National and First Diplomas in Media. Across this spectrum, it has had an outstanding effect on students in terms of increasing passion and commitment for learning.

"For example, the innovations have encouraged students to work in different locations, away from the formal teacher/student scenario to ultimately interact and take charge of their learning in an altogether different way, using materials which they are already savvy with, and which motivate and excite them. A student today is rarely found without their mobile phone, so mobile technologies make it easy for staff to engage students in learning directly and conveniently wherever they are.

"Young people today live in a world where mobile technology will be used in everyday working life. As such, it simply makes sense to introduce them to the tools they will use for work, whilst they are in the classroom so that they can train with them. It makes learning modern, relevant and directly applicable to the world we live in," adds Garner.

John Stone, chief executive of LSN, commented: "What this research demonstrates is the invaluable role that mobile technology can play in today's classroom. I would urge those FE colleges and schools who have not embraced these innovations to sit up, take notice and, most importantly, take immediate action to incorporate these modern approaches to teaching curriculums and improve their learner engagement and performance before they get left behind."

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