Using internet-enabled mobile phones to enhance large class student engagement: lessons learned

The rapid proliferation of mobile phones amongst university students provides unprecedented opportunities for their inclusion in the classroom to enhance student interaction and learning. These opportunities have arisen due to the convergence of mobile phone and internet technology. This paper outlines our experience with the trial of this new technology as a student response system in a large first year marketing principles class. The objective of this trial was to enhance student learning outcomes by creating an active learning environment and providing instantaneous feedback to both student and lecturer using easily accessible technology. This trial was evaluated based on participation rates and the use of student focus groups to explore attitudes and usage of this technology, and compares the views of school-leavers to more mature age students. In general, student attitudes to this type of learning experience were positive, however participation rates were disappointing, with mature-age students more likely to engage than school-leavers. Barriers to participation were found include the uncertainty surrounding mobile phone charges, a cumbersome registration process and a lack of incentive to participate in terms of a link to assessment. Mature-age students were less deterred by cost and effort, and more likely to see the benefits of this form of engagement.