Cooperative Mobile Learning for the Investigation of Natural Science Courses in Elementary Schools

Po-Sen Huang, Po-Sheng Chiu, Yueh-Min Huang, Hua-Xu Zhong and Chin-Feng Lai
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Po-Sen Huang: Department of Engineering Science, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City 701, Taiwan
Po-Sheng Chiu: Department of E-learning Design and Management, National Chiayi University, Chiayi County 621, Taiwan
Yueh-Min Huang: Department of Engineering Science, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City 701, Taiwan
Hua-Xu Zhong: Department of Engineering Science, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City 701, Taiwan
Chin-Feng Lai: Department of Engineering Science, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City 701, Taiwan

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 16, 1-14

Abstract: The rapid development of technologies such as tablet PCs and 4G/5G networks has further enhanced the benefits of mobile learning. Although mobile devices are convenient and provide a variety of learning benefits, they are unable to improve students’ learning outcomes without an appropriate learning strategy. Furthermore, little research has been conducted to examine the effects of using collaborative learning on mobile devices. This study proposed a cooperative learning framework using Google Docs to explore the learning outcomes of students of natural science in an elementary curriculum. The study was of a quasi-experimental design with an experimental group (cooperative learning) and a control group (personal learning). The results show that a cooperative learning approach using Google Docs improved learning outcomes, teaching interest, and understanding of campus plants, and reduced cognitive load. One conclusion of the study is that the collaborative learning approach associated with mobile learning is more effective than personal learning. In addition, this paper also provides brief recommendations to expand on the study’s limitations. Future work should investigate the impact of collaborative learning on different environments for mobile learning.

Keywords: cooperative learning; mobile learning; learning effects; cognitive load; learning satisfaction (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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