This study shows that the use of mobile devices positively affects the students' intrinsic and extrinsic motivation to learn, which in turn positively affects the cognitive learning process variables (student-student dialogue, student-instructor dialogue, and metacognitive self-regulated learning processes).
Milheim, K., Fraenza, C., & Palermo-Kielb, K., (2021). Supporting student-initiated mobile device use in online learning. Online Learning, 25(3), 267-288. doi:10.24059/olj.v25i3.2438 The number of students voluntarily using devices other than PCs and laptops for their online coursework continues to rise (Magda & Aslanian, 2018).
Within the research, this voluntary use of mobile devices for learning has been referred to as “student- initiated mobile learning” (Vasudeva et al., 2017). This is an important distinction from the umbrella term “mobile learning” (M-learning), which may include any or all elements of a course that are delivered via mobile technologies.
Clayton and Murphy ( 2016) suggested that smartphones be used as a mainstay in classroom teaching, and that rather than allowing them to distract from learning, educators should help their students to understand how smartphones can aid learning and facilitate civic participation.