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Mobile Phones: Not a Distraction in the Classroom But a Means of Engagement?

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Innovative Business Education Design for 21st Century Learning

Part of the book series: Advances in Business Education and Training ((ABET))

Abstract

This chapter discusses whether innovative use of mobile technology (m-technology) in the classroom can engage and motivate students to recognise that “googling” is not the digital literacy research skill required for their Higher Education studies and the “information-centric workplace” of the Digital Age. Since 2013 the researchers have used m-technology, Padlet (www.padlet.com) and Polleverywhere (www.polleverywhere.com), with students from an international partner institution, to engage and motivate them with digital literacy. Research methodology used qualitative and quantitative approaches, and research ethics guidelines of Sheffield Hallam University were complied with. The chapter considers the initial intervention and impact of an interactive learning workshop in 2013 using active learning pedagogy and m-technology. The 2014 adapted approaches for that year’s cohort of international students are discussed. The chapter concludes that the use of m-technology in the classroom can engage and motivate students. Although used by the researchers in supporting students to engage in developing their digital literacy skills, m-technology can be used in other contexts by business educators to support student learning. A summary of lessons learnt and practical guidelines for effective use of m-technology is provided.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Library and Student Support Services, Adsetts Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, S11WB, UK

    Alison Lahlafi

  2. Sheffield Business School, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, S11WB, UK

    Diane Rushton

Authors
  1. Alison Lahlafi
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  2. Diane Rushton
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Correspondence to Alison Lahlafi .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. EDHEC Business School, Roubaix Cedex 1, France

    Peter Daly

  2. Undergraduate Business and Professional Development Programme, The Open University Business School, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom

    Kristen Reid

  3. Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland

    Patrick Buckley

  4. Kemmy Busines School, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland

    Elaine Doyle

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Lahlafi, A., Rushton, D. (2016). Mobile Phones: Not a Distraction in the Classroom But a Means of Engagement?. In: Daly, P., Reid, K., Buckley, P., Doyle, E. (eds) Innovative Business Education Design for 21st Century Learning. Advances in Business Education and Training. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32622-1_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32622-1_2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-32620-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-32622-1

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