Lúcia Pombo and Margarida Morais Marques
The purpose of this paper is to present a survey study that analyzes mobile learning through students’ opinion regarding the use of mobile devices for learning, including their…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a survey study that analyzes mobile learning through students’ opinion regarding the use of mobile devices for learning, including their advantages and difficulties, as well as the educational value of a specific mobile learning strategy, reified in the EduPARK game, after an experience of exploring it in formal and non-formal educational contexts.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper comprises a survey study where mobile learning is analyzed through the eyes of 244 students attending the second or third cycles of basic education. The acknowledged advantages and difficulties of the use of mobile devices for learning, as well as the educational value and usability of a specific mobile learning strategy, using the EduPARK app and game, were analyzed.
Findings
Results revealed that most students owned a mobile device and were able to use them to learn. They had a positive perspective regarding mobile learning and valued the advantages of being easy to find up-to-date information, motivating for learning and easy to carry along. Difficulties are related to the use of mobile devices, such as requiring an internet connection, its slowness and prohibition of mobile devices in schools. The EduPARK game achieved an average educational value scale of 83.8 and an average system usability scale of 80.2, indicating its high educational value and usability for students.
Originality/value
This paper presents empirical evidence regarding the effectiveness of the integration of mobile game-based augmented reality approaches in basic education to promote students’ learning. It also includes an example of excellent cross-subjects educational materials comprising a very useful tool for teachers and students to explore scientific knowledge by accessing appealing information on biological and historical references of a local urban park.
Details
Keywords
This paper provides a general review related to a wider project, aimed at developing a mobile game-based app on Education for Sustainable Development within a smart learning city…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper provides a general review related to a wider project, aimed at developing a mobile game-based app on Education for Sustainable Development within a smart learning city environment. It aims to address guidelines for a new action-oriented transformative pedagogy that is essential for the development of key competencies for sustainable development based on literature review and on the exploration of a previously created mobile game-based app – the EduPARK app.
Design/methodology/approach
This work gives continuity to the developed work, through a qualitative interpretive methodology of case study. Its main objective is to analyze the opinion of Higher Education students, who have experienced the EduPARK app, in what concerns the impact of the educational strategy into: (1) learning value, (2) authentic learning, (3) lifelong learning, and (4) conservation and sustainable habits. Data collection instruments involve students’ reflections triangulated to a questionnaire.
Findings
The study finds that the potential for promoting conservation and sustainable habits is widely recognized by app users, although they mention that this aspect can be further explored. This legitimates the relevance of the new mission – EduCITY, which focuses on enhancing sustainability key skills of citizens who participate in extension game-based activities on strategic paths in the city.
Originality/value
This paper comprises a set of guidelines and best practices for educational stakeholders and decision makers in order to enhance a wider integration of this outdoor mobile innovative approach in education, promoting smart and sustainable attitudes of citizens within the cities.