InContext: A mobile application for the improvement of learning strategies at University

 Claudia-A. Lerma-Noriega, Tecnológico de Monterrey (Mexico)

 María-L. Flores-Palacios, Tecnológico de Monterrey (Mexico)

 Genaro Rebolledo-Méndez, Tecnológico de Monterrey (Mexico)

https://doi.org/10.3916/C64-2020-10

Keywords

Mobile application, journalism, research methodology, educational innovation, higher education, writing, pedagogical research, didactic proposal

Abstract

InContext is a custom-designed mobile application for writing assignments intended for university students in journalism and research methodology courses. In these disciplines, it has been observed that there is a need for an educational and technological tool to guide the writing of text using preloaded templates in which students can input text and multimedia material to create articles or write research reports. Besides its ease of use, the app was intended to improve metacognitive thinking. This led to the establishment of six working hypotheses in an exploratory study. For the study, a random sample of students enrolled in the aforementioned courses was selected during the August-December 2019 semester at a private university in Mexico. They took a pre-test using the “Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire” (MSLQ) that had been translated into Spanish and already validated in Mexico. Subsequently, the students used the application and then answered the same questionnaire as a post-test. The study aimed to compare the results of the tests to see whether there was an improvement in cognitive skills. The results showed an increase in four skills: critical thinking, data search, cognitive self-regulation, and regulation of effort. The research results did indicate metacognitive development that would benefit the academic and professional work of future graduates.

References

AECJMC (Ed.) (2019). Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. http://bit.ly/2TRxGD0

Link Google Scholar

Ajayi, A., Ayo, C.K., & Olamide, O. (2019). Mobile learning and accounting students’ readiness in tertiary and professional institutions in Nigeria. Cogent Arts y Humanities, 6(1), 1-25. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2019.1676570

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Álvarez-Flores, E.P., Núñez-Gómez, P., & Olivares-Santamarina, J.P. (2018). Perfiles profesionales y salidas laborales para graduados en Publicidad y Relaciones públicas: De la especialización a la hibridación. El Profesional de la Información, 27(1), 136-147. https://doi.org/10.3145/epi.2018.ene.13

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Anand, G., Chhajed, D., Hong, S.W., & Scagnoli, N. (2014). Introducing mobile technology in graduate professional education. E-Learning and Digital Media, 11(6), 543-553. https://doi.org/10.2304/elea.2014.11.6.543

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Andueza-López, M.B., & Pérez-Arozamena, R. (2014). El móvil como herramienta para el perfil del nuevo periodista. Ilu, 19, 591-602. https://doi.org/10.5209/rev_HICS.2014.v19.44987

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Arellano-Moreno, M.A. (2012). Aprendizaje autorregulado en estudiantes sobresalientes de nivel medio superior bilingüe en México. [Master Dissertation, Universidad de Nuevo León]. http://bit.ly/2IFvXdB

Link Google Scholar

Asociación de Internet.mx (Ed.) (2018). 14º Estudio de Hábitos de Internet en México. Asociación de Internet.mx. http://bit.ly/2vT1Qgj

Link Google Scholar

Berger, G., & Foote J. (2018). Haciendo un balance de la educación periodística contemporánea: El final del aula como la conocemos. In R. S. Steyn & E. Goodman (Eds.), Educación global de periodismo en el siglo XXI: Retos e innovaciones (pp. 229-246). Knight Center for Journalism. http://bit.ly/2E2WKhI

Link Google Scholar

Burgos-Castillo, E., & Sánchez-Abarca, P. (2012). Adaptación y validación preliminar del cuestionario de motivación y estrategias de aprendizaje (MSLQ). [Degree Dissertation, Universidad del Bío-Bío]. http://bit.ly/2QaGotM

Link Google Scholar

Carcelén, S., Mera, M., & Irisarri, J.A. (2019). Mobile phone use by university students in Madrid: A management-based typology during times of learning. Communication & Society, 32(1), 199-211. https://doi.org/10.15581/003.32.1.199-211

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Deuze, M. (2018). Sobre los medios y el emprendimiento como formas de ser en el mundo: Un desafío para la investigación periodística. In R. Goodman, & E. Steyn (Eds.), Educación Global de Periodismo en el siglo XXI: Retos e innovaciones (pp. 283-300). Knight Center for Journalism. http://bit.ly/2wOc9SW

Link Google Scholar

García-Santamaría, J.V., & Barranquero-Carretero, A. (2014). La formación universitaria en periodismo. ¿Mera capacitación tecnológica o una formación integral en el nuevo ecosistema informativo? Historia y Comunicación Social, 19, 641-541 https://doi.org/10.5209/rev_HICS.2014.v19.44991

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Gargallo, B., Suárez-Rodríguez, J. M., & Pérez-Pérez, C. (2009). El cuestionario CEVEAPEU. Un instrumento para la evaluación de las estrategias de aprendizaje de los estudiantes universitarios. Relieve, 15, 1-31. http://bit.ly/2IIN7aA

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Hase, C., & Kenyon, C. (2007). Heutagogy: A child of complexity theory. Complicity, 4(1), 111-118. https://doi.org/10.29173/cmplct8766

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Herrera-Batista, M. (2009). Disponibilidad, uso y apropiación de las tecnologías por estudiantes universitarios en México: Perspectivas para una incorporación innovadora. Revista Iberoamericana de Educación, 48(6), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.35362/rie4862130

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Laskin, A., & Avena, J. (2015). Introduction of mobile media into formal classroom learning environments. Journalism & Mass Communication Educator, 70(3), 276-285. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077695815601170

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Linne, J. (2015). Estudiar en Internet 2.0. Prácticas de jóvenes universitarios de la ciudad de Buenos Aires. Comunicación y Sociedad, 23, 195-213. https://doi.org/10.32870/cys.v0i23.69

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

López-García, X., Silva-Rodríguez, A., Vizoso-García, A.A., Westlund, O., & Canavilhas, J. (2019). Mobile journalism: Systematic literature review. Comunicar, 59, 9-18. https://doi.org/10.3916/c59-2019-01

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Lugo-Ortiz, L. (2016). The academia, the media, and the ideal professional: A generalist-multimedia journalist. Communication & Society, 29(4), 271-286. https://doi.org/10.15581/003.29.4.271-286

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Madison, E. (2015). Mobile media best practices: Lessons from 5 years of or magazine. Journalism & Mass Communication Educator, 70(3), 324-330. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077695815600479

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Manfredi-Sánchez, J.L., Ufarte-Ruiz, M.J., & Herranz-de la Casa, J.M. (2019). Innovación periodística y sociedad digital: Una adaptación de los estudios de periodismo. Revista Latina de Comunicación Social, 74, 1633-1654. https://doi.org/10.4185/rlcs-2019-1402

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Marcos-Recio, J.C., Edo-Bolós, C., & Parra-Valcarce, D. (2018). Retos pendientes de los periódicos digitales en la información de actualidad: Estudios de casos en medios españoles. Communication & Society, 31, 51-70. https://bit.ly/2QBVkRU

Link Google Scholar

Marron, M.B. (2015). New generations require changes beyond the digital. Journalism & Mass Communication Educator, 70(2), 123-124. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077695815588912

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Marta-Lazo, C., González-Aldea, P.C., & Herrero-Curiel, E. (2018). Competencias profesionales y perfiles en Periodismo demandados por las empresas: Análisis de las ofertas en LinkedIn e Infojobs. Comunicación y Sociedad, 31(4), 211-228. https://bit.ly/2wvrl7x

Link Google Scholar

Martín-Serrano, M. (2019). La comunicación y la información en un mundo que se virtualiza. Desarrollos y funciones previsibles. Comunicación y Sociedad, 1-29. https://doi.org/10.32870/cys.v2019i0.7478

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Mu, H., & Paparas, D. (2015). Incorporating the advantages of clickers and mobile devices to teach economics to non-economists. Cogent Economics and Finance, 3(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1080/23322039.2015.1099802

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Pauleen, D., Campbell, J., Harmer, B., & Intezari, A. (2015). Making sense of mobile technology: The integration of work and private life. SAGE Open, 5(2), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244015583859

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Pintrich, P., Smith, A.F., Duncan, T., & Mckeachie, W.J. (1991). A Manual for the use of the motivated strategies for learning questionnaire (MSLQ). http://bit.ly/2QcnSBn

Link Google Scholar

Ramos-Elizondo, A. I., Herrera-Bernal, J.A., & Ramírez-Montoya, M.S. (2010). Developing cognitive skills with mobile learning: A case study. [Desarrollo de habilidades cognitivas con aprendizaje móvil: un estudio de casos]. Comunicar, 34, 201-209. https://doi.org/10.3916/c34-2010-03-20

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Roses, S., & Humanes, M.L. (2014). La innovación educativa, subestimada: Análisis de la importancia que le otorgan los estudiantes de Periodismo. Historia y Comunicación Social, 19, 479-490. https://doi.org/10.5209/rev_HICS.2014.v19.45148

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Schena, J., Besalú, R., & Singla Casellas, C. (2018). Valoraciones actualizadas de las competencias profesionales en la práctica laboral de los periodistas españoles. Revista Latina de Comunicación Social, 53, 531-555. https://doi.org/10.4185/rlcs-2018-1268

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Solar, R.M., & Díaz L.C. (2009). Los procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje en el aula universitaria: Una mirada desde las creencias de académicos de trabajo social y periodismo. Estudios Pedagógicos, 35(1), 181-197. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-07052009000100011

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Wakefield, J., Frawley, J.K., Tyler, J., & Dyson, L.E. (2018). The impact of an iPad-supported annotation and sharing technology on university students’ learning. Computers & Education, 122, 243-259. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.COMPEDU.2018.03.013

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Walck, P.E., Cruikshank, S.A., & Kalyango, Y. (2015). Mobile learning: Rethinking the future of journalism practice and pedagogy. Journalism & Mass Communication Educator, 70(3), 235-250. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077695815600478

Link DOI | Link Google Scholar

Fundref

This work was produced thanks to Novus Project 2018 awarded by Tecnológico de Monterrey for developing educational innovation. We also appreciate the collaboration of Writing Lab of TecLabs for the facilities provided in mentoring and for methodological development. The authors acknowledge the technical support of Writing Lab, TecLabs, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico, in the production of this work.

Crossmark

Technical information

Received: 20-12-2019

Revised: 16-01-2020

Accepted: 10-03-2020

OnlineFirst: 15-04-2020

Publication date: 01-07-2020

Article revision time: 27 days | Average time revision issue 64: 36 days

Article acceptance time: 81 days | Average time of acceptance issue 64: 91 days

Preprint editing time: 149 days | Average editing time preprint issue 64: 158 days

Article editing time: 194 days | Average editing time issue 64: 203 days

Metrics

Metrics of this article

Views: 70856

Abstract readings: 66899

PDF downloads: 3957

Full metrics of Comunicar 64

Views: 736567

Abstract readings: 672611

PDF downloads: 63956

Cited by