Student academic support in the smartphone era: changes in mode selection

Abstract

The rapid development of new communication technologies has facilitated an increase in student academic support. This descriptive study examines how the modes students use to communicate student academic support have evolved since the proliferation of smartphones. The findings indicate that students have shifted away from phone calls and computer-mediated modes of communication (e.g., email, Facebook, Blackboard, and Skype/FaceTime) toward text messaging to communicate academic support. Results also suggest overall increases in the frequency and perceived importance of student academic support. Implications and recommendations for future research are discussed and suggestions for how smartphones can facilitate academic support among students are outlined.