EXPLORING STUDENTS PREFERENCES FOR USE OF MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES IN A SPECIFIC EDUCATIONAL CONTEXT AT A TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY

The implications of mobile technology in the teaching-learning process were determined, on the one hand, by the occurrence and rapid evolution of mobile devices and, on the other hand, by the growing use of these devices by current generations of students in their individual activities.

It is obvious that these aspects are supported by easy internet access. In this context, the integration of mobile technologies in the instructional process from higher education has become an intensely discussed subject in recent years, thus expanding the research in this direction.

These implications have led to the emergence of new concepts: eLearning and mLearning, which can be seen both in terms of individual learning activities of the student, and of the perspective of the instructional process.

As alternatives to the traditional instructional process, the integration of mobile technologies in training activities in a constructive manner requires taking into account students' preferences regarding the use of mobile devices in their learning activity in the class.

This paper analyzes the preferences of students from several faculties of the University Politehnica of Bucharest for use of mobile technologies in their learning activities carried out in class.

A questionnaire achieved based on the analysis of the responses obtained from focus groups was applied. This paper presents useful information for practitioners which can applying them in the design, organization and teaching activities in their relation to students preferences.