Trends and Barriers on the Fusion of Mobile Apps in Higher EducationWhere to Next and How?

Abstract

Mobile applications (apps) can be seen as an added opportunity in education. Currently it is hard to imagine a better device that can grant students easy flexible and on demand access to learning content than each student having in their hands a mobile smart device that is multitasking and contains variety of apps. In this position paper we explore mobile apps in higher education, emphasizing on the current trends in adopting this fusion technology, we discuss the different app types, and how institutions are bringing this technology into their curriculum without fully understanding certain aspects that may limit apps’ functionalities and capabilities. Our aim is to draw a picture that would illustrate app types, advantages and disadvantages of each type, in an effort to shade some light into technical features that surround the design development and deployment of mobile apps for teaching and learning.