Description
The research relates to the theme, “Creating new learning, teaching and assessment opportunities: play, experiment, discover, embed to enhance learner experiences.”
The presentation will outline our findings in relation to the following research objectives:
- To evaluate whether mobile learning enhances participants’ transfer of learning. The study gathers information about the obstacles and opportunities for the application of learning. By gathering data before, during and after the formal learning situation, we can assess whether Into-practice has had an impact on the success of learning transfer. We also assess the medium itself as a method of encouraging new knowledge to be used in practice. The app is designed using features of gamification whereby questions and prompts are delivered and rewards are sent based on participation which adds an element of competition and fun. These features resonate with the “Creating new learning” theme of the conference particularly its reference to using play to enhance learner experience.
- To Investigate the ‘just in time’ element of mobile learning and how this fits with participants busy everyday activities. By taking advantage of what every executive carries in their pocket, using a mobile App as a learning transfer tool, means that the exercise of reflection and self-assessment which occurs during engagement with the App, is integrated and embedded within the learners’ everyday activities. This element links to the conference theme with regards to its emphasis on embedding to enhance learner experience.
- To Collect data ‘in the moment’ at the time when participants are applying their learning. The app facilitates the capture of learner perspectives in real time, for example when delegates are asked to give examples of how they have used their learning, responses include, “I am trying to use collaborative language more in discussion with colleagues. I have started thinking of a platform for social connections of team members”. This provides teachers and client stakeholders with the capability to measure the direct impact of their investment in executive education programmes. Thus the App creates a new learning, teaching and assessment opportunity to measure the impact of learner success.
Our findings are useful to those interested in what works and what doesn’t with regards to mobile pedagogy and learning transfer. This is the first piece of research underlying the development of a prospective learning tool, therefore this conference will be a chance to present with a view to gaining useful feedback and ideas for its development.
References:
Dowson, J. (2016). Turning learning into action. Action Learning: Research and Practice, 1-3.
Waller, L. (2011). From the Classroom to the workplace. Enhancing the transfer of learning. Ashridge Business School pub.
Raento, M, Oulasvirta, A, & Eagle, N February 2009, ‘Smartphones: An Emerging Tool for Social Scientists’, in J Hughes (ed.), vol. 37, SAGE Publications Ltd, London, pp. v3-373-4-1
Massenberg, A. C., Schulte, E. M., & Kauffeld, S. (2016). Never Too Early: Learning Transfer System Factors Affecting Motivation to Transfer Before and After Training Programs. Human Resource Development Quarterly.
Murray, L September 2009, ‘Looking at and looking back: Visualization in mobile research’, in J Hughes (ed.), SAGE visual methods, vol. 9, SAGE Publications Ltd, London, pp. 269-89
Pegrum, M. (2016). Future Directions in Mobile Learning. In Mobile Learning Design (pp. 413-431). Springer Singapore.