A framework for ad hoc mobile technology-enhanced learning in a higher education context

Abstract

Although the use of mobile technology features prominently in all walks of life, learning and teaching supported by its ad hoc use in higher education contexts is an under-researched topic. Moreover, elements constituting best practices for quality improvement and aimed at informing decision-making stakeholders, are spread across disparate frameworks, reported in literature. The study aimed to meet the following objectives: • O1: To identify the elements that inform strategic decisions for ad hoc mobile technology-enhanced learning. • O2: To inform the structure of the framework, defined by its constituent components. These objectives were associated with two main research questions, addressed via five secondary research questions that guided the exploration of elements associated with the ad hoc use of mobile technology-enhanced learning in a specific higher education environment. The study consequently proposed a consolidated and synthesised set of theoretically based and empirically determined elements, leading to a framework of interrelated guidelines. A moderate constructionist approach adapted from Järvensivu and Törnroos (2010) underpins the dual-purpose research design. At first, a systematic literature review explored existing frameworks applicable to e-learning, m-learning, technology-enhanced learning and blended-learning modalities. The review was subsequently expanded to include additional sources that addressed diverse aspects of mobile technology-enhanced learning. I undertook an extensive qualitative data analysis of the 55 articles resulting from the systematic literature review. Analysis techniques incorporated open, axial and selective coding, memoing, thematic analysis and the construction of network maps using ATLAS.ti V8.0, a CAQDAS tool. Outcomes of the analysis established an initial set of theoretically grounded elements, comprising a hierarchy of 11 constructs, five categories, 16 sub-categories and 60 items. Network maps demonstrated the interlinking of elements for each of the five categories titled: A. Enablement, B. Environment, C. Interactivity, D. Dynamics and E. Mobility. A final network map consolidated these individual maps, presenting the foundations for a framework for the ad hoc use of mobile technology-enhanced learning in higher education contexts. The theoretically based elements established foundations for the empirical portion of the study – a single exploratory case study defined by an architectural technology domain. The case study supported the inclusion of multiple perspectives and complex, natural contexts where mobile technology usage by stakeholders was the focus of the study. Empirical data was collected during six studies from purposively selected faculty respondents. Qualitative data analysis of collected data yielded additional empirically determined elements namely: eight constructs, eight sub-categories and 35 items. These empirically determined elements augmented findings of the systematic literature review. Additional categories did not emerge; however support for theoretically based elements was demonstrated via network maps.