Benefits and Difficulties of Integrating Mobile Technologies in the Academic Learning

Abstract

Exploring students' perceptions of the advantages and disadvantages of mobile technologies (MT) is necessary in the dynamic context of their increasing use in learning. The data obtained from 532 students from a state university were analyzed. The students mentioned three advantages and three disadvantages of using mobile technology in the learning activity. Based on the content analysis, the main categories referring to the benefits and difficulties of using MT were identified. The main categories in terms of benefits are: technological advantages, information using mobile technologies, efficient communication, opportunities for educational process, personal development, facilities at the economic and environmental level. Referring to the difficulties of MT, there was identified: negative influence on personal development, technological difficulties, damaged information, diminishing communication and socialization abilities, the negative effects on the educational process, economic, ecological and ethical disadvantages. The novelty of the study consists in highlighting the importance of MT integration in achieving academic learning activity.