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International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education
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Student projects empowering mobile learning in higher education

Proyectos de los estudiantes para potenciar el aprendizaje móvil en la educación superior

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education volume 11, pages 192–207 (2014)Cite this article

Abstract

Educational institutions are facing the challenge of providing students with tools for mobile learning (m-learning). However, the evolution of technology makes the development and continuous improvement of these tools rather expensive. For example, it is difficult to assess the different technology options available and to choose which ones are best suited to a particular context. In this article, the proposed solution is to engage students on technology degree courses in the development of m-learning tools. The Open University of Catalonia (UOC) is analyzed as a case study, and several examples of tools developed by students as part of their final year projects are presented. These projects explore different technologies and provide useful information to guide institutional investment in the development of m-learning tools. Akin to the collaborative development model in the field of open source software, this paradigm therefore can ensure the sustainability of m-learning in educational institutions.

Resumen

Las instituciones educativas se enfrentan al reto de ofrecer a los estudiantes herramientas para aprendizaje móvil (m-learning). Sin embargo, la evolución de las tecnologías hace que el desarrollo y la mejora continua de estas herramientas sea algo muy costoso. Por ejemplo, resulta complicado evaluar las diferentes alternativas tecnológicas disponibles y seleccionar la más apropiada según el contexto. En este artículo, se propone como solución implicar a los estudiantes de titulaciones tecnológicas en el desarrollo de herramientas de m-learning. Se analiza como caso de estudio la Universitat Oberta de Catalunya y se presentan ejemplos de herramientas desarrolladas por estudiantes como parte de su trabajo final de carrera. Estos trabajos permiten explorar diferentes tecnologíias y proporcionan información útil para guiar la inversión institutional en el desarrollo de herramientas de m-learning. Así pues, este paradigma, cercano al modelo del desarrollo colaborativo en el software libre, permite asegurar la sostenibilidad del m-learning en instituciones educativas.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Rambla del Poblenou 156, 08018, Barcelona, Spain

    Àngels Rius (Lecturer), David Masip (Lecturer) & Robert Clarisó (Lecturer)

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  1. Àngels Rius
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  2. David Masip
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  3. Robert Clarisó
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Correspondence to Àngels Rius.

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Rius, À., Masip, D. & Clarisó, R. Student projects empowering mobile learning in higher education. Int J Educ Technol High Educ 11, 192–207 (2014). https://doi.org/10.7238/rusc.v11i1.1901

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