Autonomy, Relatedness & Competence
Chenxi Liu & Ana-Paula Correia
Mobile technology not only has invaded many parts of our daily life, but also has been widely used in today’s education. However, mobile learning is still in its infancy and studies regarding the usage of mobile technology in learning and teaching are insufficient (Motiwalla, 2007). By employing a qualitative multiple-case study research approach, this study aims to identify critical factors that promote learners’ engagement in mobile learning applications and to examine effective engagement strategies offered in top-ranked mobile learning applications. The results of this study will provide insights on how to design and develop mobile learning applications with high levels of learners’ engagement.
A total of six top-ranked lifelong learning mobile applications (on Apple and Google Play stores) have been selected for the study. The learners’ reviews regarding the selected applications from November 2019 to December 2019 will be analyzed using inductive coding to identify critical factors to promote learners’ engagement in mobile learning applications. Moreover, based on the identified factors, researchers will explore the applications’ features that initiate and maintain learners’ engagement.
Hew’s (2016) model of learners’ engagement based on self-determination theory is this study theoretical framework. According to this model, learners’ engagement can be influenced by three psychological needs as illustrated below.
Hew’s proposed model of learners’ engagement.
This research study has obtained Ohio State’s IRB approval. It was presented at the 2020 Ohio State College of Education and Human Ecology Research Forum, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
Chenxi Liu presenting at the 2020 Ohio State’s College of Education and Human Ecology Student Research Forum.
References:
Hew, K. F. (2016). Promoting engagement in online courses: What strategies can we learn from three highly rated MOOCS: Engagement: lessons from MOOCs. British Journal of Educational Technology, 47(2), 320–341.
Motiwalla, L. F. (2007). Mobile learning: A framework and evaluation. Computers & Education, 49(3), 581–596.