Feeling Hopeful? Learning Queer History From a Mobile App Influences Hope Toward the LGBTQ+ Community

• In Event: Culturally Responsive and Equity-Focused Uses of Educational Technology

Abstract

We conducted a randomized control trial (RCT) study to examine the role of a queer history mobile app in learners’ perceived hope toward the LGBTQ+ community. Pre-service teachers (N = 114) were randomly assigned to the mobile app condition or a control condition. We found that participants using the app reported higher levels of hope toward the LGBTQ+ community. Moreover, app users’ subjective, but not objective, learning outcome was associated with hope toward the LGBTQ+ community. That is, how successful learners thought they had learned from the app, not how much knowledge they gained, is related to perceived hope. We discussed implications of using mobile apps and fostering learning about minority history to increase inclusion and diversity.

Authors

• Nigel Mantou Lou, University of Victoria

• Jason Matthew Harley, McGill University

• Byunghoon Tony Ahn, McGill University

• Yang Liu, University of Alberta