Matias et al. (2013)
Presentation at Sloan-C, Nov. 20, 2013
Participants will learn about our approach to develop the tool, the research conducted and the next steps as well as discuss how they could use our approach.
1. Audeliz Matias1, Craig Lamb2, Joanne Levine1,
Matthew Quinn1, and David F. Wolf II3
SUNY Empire State College, Saratoga Springs NY (Audeliz.Matias@esc.edu);
2
SUNY Genesse Community College, Batavia, NY; 3 Content Enablers, Inc., Saratoga Springs, NY
1
19th Sloan-C International Conference on Online Learning
Lake Buena Vista, FL
2. Widespread Adoption of Mobile Technology
2011 Horizon Report : “According to a recent report from mobile
manufacturer Ericsson, studies show that by 2015, 80% of people
accessing the internet will be doing so from mobile devices.
Perhaps more important for education, internet capable mobile
devices will outnumber computers within the next year.”
2013 Horizon Report : “Tablet computing has carved its own
niche in education as a portable and always-connected family of
devices that can be used in almost any setting. Equipped with WiFi
and cellular network connectivity, high-resolution screens, and with
a wealth of mobile apps available, tablets are proving to be
powerful tools for learning inside and outside of the classroom.”
3. Widespread Adoption of Mobile Technology
• Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project: in
the U.S. 45% of adults own a smartphone (Smith, 2012), up
from 35% in 2011 (Smith, 2011).
• Pearson Foundation: tablet ownership among undergraduates
has more than tripled in the last year (2012).
• Pew Research Center’s Internet and
American Life Project: non-white and low
income level smartphone users are most
likely to go online using their phone
(Smith, 2011).
4. Trends in Mobile Apps in Higher Education
Campus mobile applications
(“apps”) facilitate access to:
• campus news
• maps
• transportation information
• calendar of events
• self-guided tours
• searchable directories
• course registration
• recruitment efforts
5. The Challenge
We serve nontraditional age learners in a distributed, fully online
environment with students all across the globe.
Mobile app strategy needs to reflect the character
and needs of our community.
6. Our Students
• Empire State College served 20,138 students
• The average age: 36 years (undergraduate), 40 years
(graduate).
• Center for Distance Learning:
– The total enrollment was 7,340 students
– 65% of students are female and 83% of students are
New York State residents
– The ethnicity (2011-2012):
• 68% White,
• 12% Black, Non- Hispanic,
• 2% Asian,
• <1% American/Alaskan native,
• <1% Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
7. MyCDL Site/App
•
•
•
•
Went live in late January 2012.
Viewed 29,032 times.
Installed by 2,956 users.
Linked out to other ESC pages 1,792
times.
• MyRecords
• Registration
• Distance Learning Catalog
http://www.widgetbox.com/mobile/app/mycdl
8. MyCDL: Effectiveness as a Tool
• We conducted research on the tool's use, or lack thereof,
by current students, faculty and staff, as well as
prospective students and alumni.
• Survey – February, April 2013
• 7 questions, descriptive
• Students, faculty, staff within CDL as well
as prospective students and alumni.
10. Survey Results
n=224 participants
Which category below includes your age?
• 18% younger than 30
years old
• 57% - 30 to 49
• 22% - 50 and over
• 3% - 60 and over
• 89% Currently enrolled at CDL.
• 56% Use it as a primary way to access
information about CDL.
11. Survey Results
n = 224
Overall Usefulness: 3.65 (28% - score of 5; 19% - score of 4).
Usefulness of each tabs:
1. Registration & Academics
2. Contact CDL
3. News & Events
Usefulness of each the components:
1. Academic Summary
2. Registration Page
3. Course Catalog
Least: Twitter feed, Calendar, YouTube
12. MyCDL Site/App
Survey Launched February 2013: 224 participants
Students are generally satisfied with MyCDL and would like
to see more features added, particularly those that could
increase engagement in their online courses.
• 47% rated the app useful and very useful.
• 14% rated the app as somewhat useful to
not useful.
• 19% were neutral about the app usefulness.
• 20% didn’t answer this question.
Average rating: 3.65
13. Survey Comments
•
•
•
•
•
Adding a links to DPPlanner and the Degree Planning Guide.
Access to course documents and discussions.
All main pages linked to need to be mobile-friendly.
Needs to work with all smarthphones.
“I know that access to courses and course mail is likely impractical on the
mobile friendly MyCDL, but it would be nice to log into an account with
your student ID and have the ability to access contact information relating
to the courses for which a student is enrolled. I have been able to access
this information on the main ESC site with my phone, but it may be more
practical for situations like w hen Hurricane Sandy and the following snow
storms knocked out access to computer and internet for days on end.”
•
“I didn’t know there was a MyCDL app.”
14. What We Learned
Technical Considerations:
•Native Apps vs. HTML5 mobile sites.
•Links need to be monitored.
•Technology is always changing as well as companies.
General Considerations:
•Privacy, for you and your users.
•ADA and other disability elements.
•Does the usability and set-up outweigh any
benefits?
•Will the initial pilot allow you to gather useful
feedback?
16. Summary
• Mobile technology is growing at an exponential rate.
• Currently, adult students are using technologies
extensively in a combination of ways to find, manage
and produce content.
• Mobile devices cannot be the ultimate solution to engage
students and creates a sense of community but it
certainly helps.
• Perhaps the most powerful use of mobile technology in
student support and recruitment is to supplement other
efforts.
