Exploring the Integration of Handheld Device Applications in Teaching and Learning in Textiles, Clothing and Design Programmes in Universities in Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study made use of a qualitative approach with an intrinsic case study to explore how handheld devices applications were integrated in teaching and learning in Textiles, Clothing and Design programmes. Participants of the study were purposively sampled from the Textiles and Clothing department at a selected university of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe comprising eight lecturers and thirty-two students. In-depth, focus group interviews and observations were used to gather data for the study. The findings of the study showed that participants were still at the stage of actively experimenting with very limited handheld device applications for the purposes of teaching and learning. Photoediters and digital cameras were the commonest applications used in most modules of the Textiles, Clothing and Design programmes. Though the photoediters and digital cameras were found to match the multimedia category of the Functionality framework, these were not fully utilised by students. It was recommended that there is need for the Textiles, Clothing and Design lecturers to provide opportunities for students to use a variety of applications on handheld devices for collaborative designing in practical modules of the programmes as these can encourage the development of critical skills necessary for creating innovative textiles and fashion designs.