Bridging the App Gap: Learning With Mobile Educational Apps in Urban Schools

• In Event: Using Learning Technologies to Personalize Learning and Activate Students

Abstract

Despite enthusiasm around mobile devices, disparities exist in access to educational apps among low-income and higher-income students. This work presents an investigation of mobile educational apps in the context of urban schools serving low-income minority students. Participants included four case study teachers in three schools who completed a week-long iPad Institute. Data included classroom observations and interviews over one school year, as well as focus groups with 32 students. Results indicated that teachers frequently used mobile apps to reinforce traditional literacy and mathematics skills rather than to promote new models of instruction. Students also emphasized the use of mobile apps for test taking and factual knowledge. Findings have implications for researchers and practitioners working in the area of mobile computing.

Authors

• Chrystalla Mouza, University of Delaware

• Tommi Barrett-Greenly, University of Delaware