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. 2015 Apr;21(2):125-33.
doi: 10.4258/hir.2015.21.2.125. Epub 2015 Apr 30.

Effects of mobile phone-based app learning compared to computer-based web learning on nursing students: pilot randomized controlled trial

Myung Kyung Lee  1
Affiliations

Effects of mobile phone-based app learning compared to computer-based web learning on nursing students: pilot randomized controlled trial

Myung Kyung Lee. Healthc Inform Res. 2015 Apr.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effect of mobile-based discussion versus computer-based discussion on self-directed learning readiness, academic motivation, learner-interface interaction, and flow state.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at one university. Eighty-six nursing students who were able to use a computer, had home Internet access, and used a mobile phone were recruited. Participants were randomly assigned to either the mobile phone app-based discussion group (n = 45) or a computer web-based discussion group (n = 41). The effect was measured at before and after an online discussion via self-reported surveys that addressed academic motivation, self-directed learning readiness, time distortion, learner-learner interaction, learner-interface interaction, and flow state.

Results: The change in extrinsic motivation on identified regulation in the academic motivation (p = 0.011) as well as independence and ability to use basic study (p = 0.047) and positive orientation to the future in self-directed learning readiness (p = 0.021) from pre-intervention to post-intervention was significantly more positive in the mobile phone app-based group compared to the computer web-based discussion group. Interaction between learner and interface (p = 0.002), having clear goals (p = 0.012), and giving and receiving unambiguous feedback (p = 0.049) in flow state was significantly higher in the mobile phone app-based discussion group than it was in the computer web-based discussion group at post-test.

Conclusions: The mobile phone might offer more valuable learning opportunities for discussion teaching and learning methods in terms of self-directed learning readiness, academic motivation, learner-interface interaction, and the flow state of the learning process compared to the computer.

Keywords: Computers; Learning; Mobile Applications; Randomized Controlled Trial; Web.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

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