OK, But What Do the Students Think?

Formal & Informal Research

We should absolutely be soliciting regular informal and formal feedback from our students on their expeirences in our courses, especially as it relates to accessibility and inclusivity. It is impossible to measure those two goals without student feedback.

In my two-semester reseach study of student experinces using mobile devices in a developmental writing course, I did just that. The study focused on three important research questions: 1) how do students experience a writing course that mandates use of a mobile iOS device, 2) can mobile iOS devices and apps help increase student confidence in their own writing ability and skills, and 3) can mobile iOS devices and apps help increase student writing competency. After collecting assignments, informal feedback, and conducting interviews with the 23 participants, particpants articulated an appreciation for the simplicity and mobility of the course, and reported minimal difference in experience based on device type and screen size.

Most importantly, the participants experienced an increase in success and expressed an increase in confidence. For example, one student stated the mobile-focused course helped him "understand writing like never before" and increased his confidence in entering a college-level writing course for the first time. Another specifically mentioned an increase in his own organization habits because of the use of the mobile device. And another student claimed the course taught him to "study fully" rather than "wing it" as he had in other classes. Nearly all participants agreed they would take the next level English course with a mobile device requirement and that they would like to see other courses adopt a mobile-centric pedagogy.

The feedback from students expresses an increase in confidence and engagement as well as a desire to see other mobile tech courses.