mobile technology
In the contemporary world of education, mobile technology is gaining popularity. In every discipline in all the institutions, students are can easily collaborate to accomplish learning tasks. Collaborative learning is crucial since it enhances implicit thoughts, understanding, and sharing of cognitive loads. Using mobile technology in collaborative learning has significant benefits for students, such as individuality, connectivity, and instantaneity. The present research’s primary aim is to examine how collaborative learning for students is supported by mobile technology.
Problem Statement. The current developments in mobile technologies have resulted in the possibility to support learners in their studies. In higher institutions, a lot of effort has been made to explore new ways to support individual learning for the students and find ways for effective collaborative learning. Students from various institutions across the world are underutilizing or misusing mobile devices. Students lack the information on how the mobile devices with the technology and applications present can benefit them through collaborative learning. In higher learning, students are engaged in various activities, and due to the busy schedules, mobile internet minimizes physical and geographical strains in accessing educational learning activities.
Motivation. In a typical classroom setting, students are regularly involved in passive learning. Passive learning minimizes attention and enthusiasm during learning. Recent research has proposed new ways to benefit students in terms of problem-based learning, active learning, and team-based learning (Chun, 2017). The above learning methods are all forms of cooperative learning that mainly focus on the responsibility of learners in the learning process. Collaborative learning organizes students into groups and assigns tasks for the group to accomplish various tasks (Kheiravar, Lasserre, & Campbell, 2012). It is often a challenge when the classroom organization is fixed and mostly when the number of learners exceeds three. Such challenges are more experienced as the size of the class increases.
Mobile technology or devices can be executed in learning environments to support students’ better engagement in group activities. Whereas the present technologies are used in performing various activities in our everyday lives, they are yet to contribute significantly to learning and teaching (Järvelä et al., 2007). Mobile devices can provide immediate access to information and create increased interactive abilities that support collaborative learning among students. Studies have shown that mobile technology and devices enhance student confidence and motivation to participate in collaborative learning. The touch screen devices are perceived to be better than writing on paper using pencils.
Value to the Student. The research topic aims at understanding how mobile devices can be used to support collaborative learning for students. Since digital learning is on the rise in higher institutions, the project will be very applicable in contemporary institutions. As a student, I will benefit since digital learning in groups will be simplified through increased connectivity. The Capstone projects require the collaborative participation of students, which can be supported by mobile technologies. Students will interact with their instructors, together with other students, with only a touch on their screen. Higher education students are continuously engaged in several activities that consume much of their time. Sometimes they cannot make it to walk around with their laptops, so mobile devices can enhance learning in every location for the students. Students can perform other activities as they also engage in group learning with other students in texts and exchange ideas digitally.
Alignment to Program Outcomes. Innovation and creativity are the core principles in computer science. The current research on mobile applications and technology requires progressive application of knowledge and computer science principles to explore new ways to enhance collaborative learning in institutions. The development of mobile technology has changed society and transformed several facets of our daily lives. Mobile communication and computer devices involve not only a notebook that issues a small level of mobility. Such devices are only significant for transfers. Smartphones and tablets provide increased mobility. The devices majorly use the Android operating system, MS Windows Phone, and iOS. The development of mobile technologies applicable in education is a development in computer science. Computer learning and lessons are supported through mobile applications that are grounded in the principle of learning. Computer science students can benefit accordingly from effectively designed mobile applications. Mobile application prototypes are commonly used in computer studies or technology. Instant messaging and G-Portal are some of the common technologies and techniques in computer science that support mobile devices in learning. Computer science involves digital learning and continuous interactions between students and instructors; thus, mobile technology can support group learning in computer courses.