MARVEL Agents: A new approach to collaborative learning using mobile technology in the classroom
Abstract: The motivation for this experimental study comes from interest in exploring educational applications of collaborative learning delivered via mobile technology that could potentially provide engaging learning experiences in college classrooms. This study examined the effects of mobile devices on collaboration by comparing the performance of 120 undergraduate and graduate students assigned to complete a learning activity individually or in teams. Performance was compared and measured by taking the mean difference in score of the two groups by a pre-test and post-test. To evaluate students’ perceptions of using mobile devices for learning, participants completed a survey on the quality of the collaborative experience. The results of the study showed that those who completed the learning activity as a team showed greater learning gains. Overall, mobile technology provided a richer collaborative learning experience.