A question–answer system for mobile devices in lecture-based instruction: a qualitative analysis of student engagement and learning

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to explore the opinions, perceptions and evaluations of students about their experiences with a question–answer system used on mobile devices in a lecture-based course. Basic qualitative research method was employed in this study to understand how students made sense of their experiences during the instruction. The participants of the study were 25 of 42 students enrolled in a Computer Hardware course, who were interviewed in five sessions of focus-groups. Data analysis was done based on the six steps of inductive analysis. The results showed that students mostly ascribed the meaning of their engagement to the observable behaviors about academic challenge. Concerning inhibiting factors for participating in a lecture, they stressed the constraints of lecture method. As inhibiting factors for asking questions, they mostly stated shyness as a reason. The results of the research were discussed reflectively to investigate the constructed meanings of participants about the context and to make suggestions for further studies.

KEYWORDS:

• Improving classroom teaching
• teaching/learning strategies
• interactive learning environments
• mobile learning
• question–answer systems

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Amine Hatun Ataş is a Ph.D. candidate at the Department of Computer Education and Instructional Technology, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey. Her research effort is focused on e-learning, m-learning, computerized assessment, design and development of instructional systems.

Ömer Delialioğlu, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at the Department of Computer Education and Instructional Technology, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey. His research interests include m-learning, design and development of effective blended learning environments and student engagement in these environments, computer networks and communication technologies, and technology-enhanced learning environments.

ORCID

Amine Hatun Ataş http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6325-353X

Ömer Delialioğlu http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6515-3516

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Middle East Technical University (METU) [BAP-05-05-2012-001].