Trends and patterns of mobile learning: A study of mobile Learning Management System access

Abstract

The use of mobile technology such as smartphones and tablets is deeply embedded in college life by Generation Z (students born between 1995 and 2010). Using reports generated by the Learning Management System (LMS), this research studied the mobile device access patterns of both undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in courses utilizing the Blackboard Learning Management System at a small university in South Texas over the 2015-2016 school year to determine patterns of usage. Frequency counts were employed to determine numbers of logins over 24 hours, logins over days of the weeks, and preferred operating systems. Reports determined that there were 14, 234 unique visitors, that Monday had the most logins of the days of the week, and that the most frequent time of day for logins was 10 a.m. Surprisingly, however, there were a robust number of logins between midnight and 6 a.m. The reports also show that iOS devices dominate the user base with 121,990 logins within the one year date range.