Date

4-2022

Department

School of Education

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Chair

Matthew Oswald Ozolnieks

Keywords

Mobile Learning, Mobile Device, Urban Education

Disciplines

Education | Educational Methods

Abstract

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the perceived impact of using mobile learning to improve the academic achievements of low-income, private high school students. My Christian faith and emphasis on students’ educational development were strong contributors to the study’s purpose. The theory guiding this study was the technology acceptance model. This framework helped explore the perceived impact that mobile learning had among low-income, private high school students. The central question was: What is the lived experience of low-income, private high school students using mobile technology in class? Subquestions were used to explore the academic, personal, and social benefits of using mobile technology in the classroom with low-income, private high school students who accepted technology as a benefit for learning. Moustakas’ (1994) phenomenological research data collection method was used as a guide for gathering data from the lived experiences of low-income, private high school students. Data sources included interviews, focus groups, and photovoice. The data analysis created the study’s triangulation and thematic saturation. Four themes emerged from the data collected, and included reduce stress, need for creativity, benefit of mobile technology, and disadvantages of using mobile technology. The student participants addressed their displeasure about specific academic environments that they felt contributed to their lack of academic motivation. The participants explained mobile learning would create a student-engaged learning environment. However, teacher readiness, distraction, and cheating were the perceived disadvantages.

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