Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Preparing Teacher Education Students to Integrate Mobile Learning into Elementary Education

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
TechTrends Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The wide adoption of mobile technology has greatly influenced K-12 education. In teacher education programs, it is necessary for educators to train teacher education students to use mobile technology for educational purpose. This paper reports an exploratory effort in preparing elementary education students for mobile learning. The participants’ perceptions of mobile learning and intended use of mobile technology were examined through the analyses of their online discussion posts, responses to survey items and their projects. Their perceived benefits of mobile learning, limitations of mobile technology, their intended implementation of mobile learning and the challenges they anticipated were reported. Implications and recommendations were discussed regarding the knowledge of mobile apps, pedagogical practices and some non-instructional issues.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahmed, S., & Parsons, D. (2013). Abductive science inquiry using mobile devices in the classroom. Computers & Education, 63, 62–72.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ally, M., Grimus, M., & Ebner, M. (2014). Preparing teachers for a mobile world, to improve access to education. Prospects, 44, 43–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baran, E. (2014). A review of research on mobile learning in teacher education. Educational Technology & Society, 17, 17–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baydas, O., & Yilmaz, R. M. (2018). Pre-service teachers’ intention to adopt mobile learning: A motivational model. British Journal of Educational Technology, 49, 137–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burden, K., & Hopkins, P. (2016). Barriers and challenges facing pre-service teachers use of mobile technologies for teaching and learning. International Journal of Mobile and Blended Learning, 8, 1–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burke, D. M., & Foulger, T. S. (2014). Mobile learning in teacher education: Insight from four programs that embraces change. Journal of Digital Learning in Teacher Education, 30, 112–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coe, J. E. L., & Oakhill, J. V. (2011). ‘texN is ez f u no h2 rd’: The relation between reading ability and text-messaging behavior. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 27, 4–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Collins, A. (1989). Cognitive apprenticeship and instructional technology. Retrieved from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED331465

  • Crompton, H. (2013). A historical overview of m-learning: Toward learner-centered education. In Z. L. Berge & L. Y. Muilenburg (Eds.), Handbook of mobile learning (pp. 3–14). New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crompton, H., Burke, D., & Gregory, K. H. (2017). The use of mobile learning in PK-12 education: A systematic review. Computers & Education, 110, 51–63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ekanayake, S. Y., & Wishart, J. (2015). Integrating mobile phones into teaching and learning: A case study of teacher training through professional development workshops. British Journal of Educational Technology, 46, 173–189.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ertmer, P. A. (1999). Addressing first- and second- order barriers to change: Strategies for technology integration. Educational Technology Research and Development, 47(4), 47–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foulger, T. S., Waker, M. L., Burke, D., Hansen, R., Williams, M. K., & Slykhuis, D. A. (2013). Innovators in teacher education. Journal of Digital Learning in Teacher Education, 30, 21–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fritschi, J., & Wolf, M. A. (2012). Turning on mobile learning in North America: Illustrative initiatives and policy implications. Retrieved from http://edutechdebate.org/mobile-learning-initiatives/unesco-working-paper-series-on-mobile-learning-north-america/

  • Fu, Q. -K., & Hwang, G. -J. (2018). Trends in mobile technology-supported collaborative learning: A systematic review of journal publications from 2007-2016. Computers & Education, 119, 129–143.

  • Green, L. S., Hechter, R. P., Tysinger, P. D., & Chassereau, K. D. (2014). Mobile app selection for 5th through 12th grade science: The development of the MASS rubric. Computers & Education, 75, 65–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hashim, Y. (2014). Preliminary study on teachers’ use of the iPad in bachelor of education program at a private university in Malaysia. TechTrends, 58, 14–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hsu, Y. -C., & Ching, Y. -H. (2013). Mobile computer-supported collaborative learning: A review of experimental research. British Journal of Educational Technology, 44, 111–114.

  • Husbye, N. E., & Elsener, A. A. (2014). To move forward, we must be mobile: Practical uses of mobile technology in literacy courses. Journal of Digital Learning in Teacher Education, 30, 46–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hwang, G. -J., & Chang, H. -F. (2011). A formative assessment-based mobile learning approach to improving the learning attitudes and achievements of students. Computers & Education, 56, 1023–1031.

  • Hwang, G. -J., Lai, C. -L., Liang, J. -C., Chu, H. -C., & Tsai, C. -C. (2018). A long-term experiment to investigate the relationships between high school students’ perceptions of mobile learning and peer interaction and higher-order thinking tendencies. Educational Technology Research and Development, 66, 75–93.

  • Jere-Folotiya, J., Chansa-Kabali, T., Munachaka, J. C., Sampa, F., Yalukanda, C., Westerholm, J., … Lyytinen, H. (2014). The effect of using a mobile literacy game to improve literacy levels of grade one students in Zambian schools. Educational Technology Research and Development, 62, 417–436.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kearney, M., & Maher, D. (2013). Mobile learning in maths teacher education: Using iPads to support pre-service teachers’ professional development. Australian Educational Computing, 27(3), 76–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kearney, M., Schuck, S., Burden, K., & Aubusson, P. (2012). Viewing mobile learning from a pedagogical perspective. Research in Learning Technology, 20, 1–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keskin, N. O., & Metcalf, D. (2011). The current perspectives, theories and practices of mobile learning. The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology, 10(2), 202–208.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiger, D., Herro, D., & Prunty, D. (2012). Examining the influence of a mobile learning intervention of third grade math achievement. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 45, 61–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Land, S. M., & Zimmerman, H. T. (2015). Socio-technical dimensions of an outdoor mobile learning environment: A three-phase design-based research investigation. Educational Technology Research and Development, 63, 229–255.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin, C. -P., Wong, L. -H., & Shao, Y. -J. (2012). Comparison of 1:1 and 1:M CSCL environment for collaborative concept mapping. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 28, 99–113.

  • Liu, T. -C., Lin, Y. -C., & Paas, F. (2014a). Effects of prior knowledge on learning from different compositions of representations in a mobile learning environment. Computers & Education, 72, 328–338.

  • Liu, M., Navarrete, C. C., & Wivagg, J. (2014b). Potentials of mobile technology for k-12 education: An investigation of iPad touch use for English language learners in the United States. Educational Technology & Society, 17(2), 115–126.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, M., Scordino, R., Geurtz, R., Navarrete, C., Ko, Y., & Lim, M. (2014c). A look at research on mobile learning in K-12 education from 2007 to the present. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 46, 325–372.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, C. -Y., Wu, C. -J., Wong, W. -K., Lien, Y. -W., & Chao, T. -K. (2017). Scientific modeling with mobile devices in high school physics labs. Computers & Education, 105, 44–56.

  • Looi, C. -K., Sun, D., Wu, L., Seow, P., Chia, G., Wong, L-H, … Norris, C. (2014). Implementing mobile learning curricula in a grade level: Empirical study of learning effectiveness at scale. Computers & Education, 77, 101–115.

    Google Scholar 

  • López, Á. F., Fórtiz, M. J. R., Almendros, M. L. R., & Segura, M. J. M. (2013). Mobile learning technology based on iOS devices to support students with special education needs. Computers & Education, 61, 77–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Naismith, L., Lonsdale, P., Vavoula, G., & Sharples, M. (2004). Literature review in mobile technologies and learning. Retrieved from https://www.nfer.ac.uk/literature-review-in-mobile-technologies-and-learning/

  • Ng, W. (2015). New digital technology in education. Retrieved from http://www.academia.edu/14028448/New_Digital_Technology_in_Education

  • Noorhidawati, A., Ghalebandi, S. G., & Hajar, R. S. (2015). How do young children engage with mobile apps? Cognitive, psychomotor, and affective perspective. Computers & Education, 87, 385–395.

    Google Scholar 

  • Norris, C., & Soloway, E. (2011). Tips for BYOD K-12 programs. District Administration, 47(7), 77–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Bannon, B. W., & Thomas, K. M. (2015). Mobile phones in the classroom: Preservice teachers answer the class. Computers & Education, 85, 110–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pegrum, M., Howitt, C., & Striepe, M. (2013). Learning to take the tablet: How pre-service teachers use iPads to facilitate their learning. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 29, 464–479.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prensky, M. (2001). Digital natives, digital immigrants part I. On the Horizon, 9(5), 2–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reeves, J. L., Gunter, G. A., & Lacey, C. (2017). Mobile learning in pre-kindergarten: Using student feedback to inform practice. Educational Technology & Society, 20(1), 37–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ritzhaupt, A. D., Dawson, K., & Cavanaugh, C. (2012). An investigation of factors influencing student use of technology in K-12 classrooms using path analysis. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 46, 229–254.

    Google Scholar 

  • Şad, S. N., & Göktaş, Ö. (2014). Preservice teachers’ perceptions about using mobile phones and laptops in education as mobile learning tools. British Journal of Educational Technology, 45, 606–618.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sánchez, J., & Olivares, R. (2011). Problem solving and collaboration using mobile serious games. Computers & Education, 57, 1943–1952.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandberg, J., Maris, M., & Geus, K. d. (2011). Mobil English learning: An evidence-based study with fifth graders. Computers & Education, 57, 1334–1347.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandbert, J., Maris, M., & Hoogendoorn, P. (2014). The added value of a gaming context and intelligent adaptation for a mobile learning application for vocabulary learning. Computers & Education, 76, 119–130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shadiev, R., Hwang, W. -Y., Huang, Y. -M., & Liu, T. -Y. (2015). The impact of supported and annotated mobile learning on achievement and cognitive load. Educational Technology & Society, 18(4), 53–69.

  • Song, Y., Wong, L. -H., & Looi, C. -K. (2012). Fostering personalized learning in science inquiry supported by mobile technologies. Educational Technology Research and Development, 60, 679–701.

  • Srisawasdi, N., Pondee, P., & Bunterm, T. (2018). Preparing pre-service teachers to integrate mobile technology into science laboratory learning: An evaluation of technology-integrated pedagogy module. International Journal of Mobile Learning and Organization, 12, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJMLO.2018.089239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, K., & O’Bannon, B. (2013). Cell phones in the classroom. Journal of Digital Learning in Teacher Education, 30, 11–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, K., & Orthober, C. (2011). Using text-message in the secondary classroom. American Secondary Education, 39(2), 55–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, K. M., O’Bannon, B. W., & Britt, V. G. (2014). Standing in the schoolhouse door: Teacher perceptions of mobile phones in the classroom. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 46, 373–395.

    Google Scholar 

  • Traxler, J., & Vosloo, S. (2014). Introduction: The prospects for mobile learning. Prospects, 44, 13–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, H. (2011). Evaluating the effectiveness of apps for mobile devices. Journal of Special Education Technology, 26(4), 59–63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wash, P. D. (2014). Taking advantage of mobile devices: Using Socrative in the classroom. Journal of Teaching and Learning with Technology, 3(1), 99–101.

    Google Scholar 

  • White, T., & Martin, L. (2014). Mathematics and mobile learning. TechTrends, 58(1), 64–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood, C., Jackson, E., Hart, L., Plester, B., & Wilde, L. (2011). The effect of text messaging on 9- and 10-year-old children’s reading, spelling and phonological processing skills. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 27, 28–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, M., Trussell, R. P., Gallegos, B., & Asam, R. R. (2015). Using math apps for improving student learning: An exploratory study in an inclusive fourth grade classroom. TechTrends, 59(2), 32–39.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hua Bai.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The author declares that there is no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Bai, H. Preparing Teacher Education Students to Integrate Mobile Learning into Elementary Education. TechTrends 63, 723–733 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-019-00424-z

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-019-00424-z

Keywords

Navigation