Using Mobile Technologies to Support Learning in Computer Science Students

• Published in: Revista IEEE América Latina Vol. 13; no. 1; pp. 377 - 382
• Main Authors: Zaldivar, Anibal, Tripp, Carolina, Aguilar, Jose Alfonso, Tovar, Jesus Eduardo, Anguiano, Carlos Eduardo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Alamitos IEEE 01.01.2015; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: E-learning; Educational institutions; Higher education; Internet; M-learning; Mobile communication; Mobile technologies; Multimedia communication; Smart phones; Software; Tablet computers
• ISSN: 1548-0992; 1548-0992
• DOI: 10.1109/TLA.2015.7040672

This paper describes an investigation to determine the impact of mobile technologies to support student learning in Computer Science students. It has been taken as sample students of the Faculty of Computer Science (Facultad de Informática) of the “Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, México”. Has been considered 152 study subjects, who are a representative sample, all of them use mobile devices in their daily lives, even during their stay in the University. An instrument was designed to survey: the 152 individuals, among which were interviewed: i) teachers, from the eight knowledge areas that compose the academies; ii) the computer labs managers; and iii) the school control department administrators. All the individuals interviewed, students, teachers and administrative staff, felt that mobile technology is the source of improvement of students qualifications and their academic performance. The reasons exposed by them agreed in the availability of access to Internet, ease of communication with teachers, classmates and the motivation to use a mobile device connected to the Internet. Interesting, from the 152 respondents, 86% say they use their smart phone or tablet to play, but most of them also used as support in their learning, and the 79% of these fellows would like to be implemented officially mobile technology as a means of learning in the University.