Contemporary definitions consider mobile learning “..a learning approach that leverages mobile devices to enable learning across contexts through social and content interactions” (Garzón, et al., 2024). Mobile learning can provide learners with flexibility, enhance revision opportunities and support interaction (Asabere, 2013), and in doing so foster inclusion and reduce barriers to learning. However, challenges with mobile technology, such as its reliability and consistency, remain present (Kyslova, et al., 2025). A key mobile technology at Dublin City University (DCU) is the branded mobile app of the university’s virtual learning environment, Moodle. This app has been available to Apple and Android users for 10 years and has had a wide range of adoption across the student population. Given its presence in the DCU technology ecosystem for 10 years, the learning technologies team sought to evaluate students’ experiences of using the mobile app in early 2026. Drawing on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) theory (Venkatesh, et al., 2003), the team sought to understand students’ perceptions of the app’s performance, its ease of use, their expectations of it, the social influence exerted on them to use it, the support available to them, and more. Survey results were very mixed. Whilst most students had positive experiences of the app, a major contingent did not. They noted performance issues with the app, navigation issues, and challenges with how lecturers presented learning content and activities. Such issues present a danger to the inclusion and flexibility which mobile learning purports to offer. This paper will present the student views from the survey, as well as concrete next steps to address student challenges, and serves as a reminder to conference delegates of the importance of ensuring learning technology reliability for our students.

References:

Asabere, N. Y. (2013). Benefits and challenges of mobile learning implementation: Story of developing nations. International Journal of Computer Applications, 73(1), 23-27.

Garzón, J., Kinshuk, Burgos, D. and Tlili, A. (2024) ‘Advantages and challenges associated with mobile learning in education: a systematic literature review’. Journal of Computers in Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40692-024-00342-x.

Kyslova, M.A., Semerikov, S.O. and Slovak, K.I. (2025) ‘Mobile learning evolution: a decade of developments (2014-2023)’, Educational Technology Quarterly, 2025(2), pp. 186–208. doi: 10.55056/etq.25.

Venkatesh, V., Morris, M.G., Davis, G.B. and Davis, F.D. (2003) ‘User acceptance of information technology: Toward a unified view’, MIS Quarterly, 27(3), pp. 425–478. doi: 10.2307/30036540