Mobile lecturers, mobile students: an exploratory study in a blended architectural technology context

The purpose of this paper is to review mobility-oriented criteria that inform the on-the-move use of digital technology. It addresses aspects of mobile technology-enhancement learning and the perceived differences between mobile lecturers and mobile learners in a higher education (HE) context in an Architectural Technology domain.

A review of literature comprising journal and peer-reviewed conference papers, books and e-articles published between 2009 and 2016 was conducted. The review was supplemented by the administration among facilitating lecturers (n=3) and a cohort of undergraduate students (n=14) of custom-designed survey questionnaires, comprising open-ended and closed items. Qualitative analysis via ATLAS.ti of literature sources and questionnaire-based feedback led to a theoretically grounded codebook enhanced by empirically based items.

Qualitative analysis of literature sources and respondent feedback produced guidelines for mobility in HE environments and led to a set of 32 criteria grouped pragmatically in six themes, namely: mobile technology; stakeholder outlook; effectiveness; facilitation; capability and interactivity. Furthermore, perceived differences between mobile lecturers and mobile students emerged and informed institutional decisions regarding mobility in educational contexts.

The study was limited in the following ways: although the all facilitating lecturers (3) and the enroled cohort of students (14) was selected, this sample is small. The institutional comprises several campuses, faculties and departments covering a wide spectrum of domains. However, the study was purposively and conveniently limited to a single innovative and blended, undergraduate Architectural Technology programme. Face-to-face interviews were not feasible limiting primary data collection to online survey questionnaires; and finally, the study was not longitudinal but designed to be based on a “slice in time” context.

Strategic, tactical, and operational stakeholders such as institutional leadership; administrators; courseware designers; lecturers; and students benefit from this study.

This study contributes to the body of knowledge by speaking to capabilities of mobile technology in a digital milieu. It guides practical mobility considerations in HE environments and supports competitive advantage decision-making. The paper establishes awareness of mobility differences between mobile lecturers and mobile students thus highlighting concepts associated with the ad hoc use of mobile technology among HE stakeholders.