Review article
https://doi.org/10.15516/cje.v24i1.4193
University Students’ Opinions about Mobile Learning: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis by ENTREQ Statement (2000-2020)
Ali Cin
orcid.org/0000-0001-6578-588X
; Department of Curriculum and Instruction Faculty of Education Mersin University Yenişehir 33110, Mersin, Turkey
Ufuk Özkale
; Department of Curriculum and Instruction Faculty of Education Mersin University Yenişehir 33110, Mersin, Turkey
Cenk Akay
orcid.org/0000-0001-9892-6255
; Department of Curriculum and Instruction Faculty of Education Mersin University Yenişehir 33110, Mersin, Turkey
Abstract
The place and significance of technology in education concerning concepts like
e-learning, mobile learning, distance learning, and flipped classroom have been
the focus of research for a long time. Moreover, during the recent pandemic due
to Covid-19 outbreak in the world, the distance education model turned up as an
alternative to traditional face-to-face education system. Above all, most universities
worldwide have adopted distance education, and the use of mobile technologies has
become a requirement. This way, the importance of mobile learning has become all
the more evident. This study aimed to interpret and discuss the findings of existing
qualitative research into university students’ mobile learning practices and reasons
behind why they do or do not prefer mobile learning, by employing a systematic
method of research, that is, meta-synthesis. As a result of this meta-synthesis research
(N = 10), the university students’ reasons for preferring mobile learning were classified
as educational reasons, reasons regarding communication, making life easier, and
belief. On the other hand, their reasons for not preferring mobile learning were
classified under the categories of technical problems, economic problems, ergonomic
problems, belief, and reliance on face-to-face education. Besides yielding similar
results to those in the literature, this study drew attention to creating opportunities
for using educational mobile learning applications, the issue of personal data security,
and the educators’ resistance to technology. It was also concluded that a two-way
understanding of mobile learning existed, i.e., it was regarded as saving or wasting
time.
Keywords
meta-synthesis; mobile learning; qualitative findings; university students
Hrčak ID:
280321
URI
Publication date:
18.5.2022.
Visits: 1.078 *