Abstract:

This paper reports on the outcome of a study to understand if and how students were studying in mobile contexts. It was also aimed at understanding their attitudes to the use of a Computerised Adaptive Test (CAT), specifically the Flexilevel test, in a mobile context.

To this end, this study was intended to provide an understanding of how students currently used mobile technology in their studies and how may view a mobile Flexilevel test. Interviews were carried out with ten participants; the interviews covered the following themes:
1. Their use, if at all, of networked and especially mobile technologies in their studies
2. Participants’ views about the Flexilevel test approach
3. Participants’ views about the Flexilevel test approach as delivered on a mobile device.

Eight of the ten participants used mobile technology in their studies. They demonstrated a sophisticated approach to their use of mobile technology and how it supported their metacognitive activity. The mobile devices were used for their research activities, reviewing learning materials and planning how they would approach the learning experiences set out for them. The bulk of their studies was done on laptop computers, but mobile devices were used to identify when they could study away from the laptop and when they would need to use it.

The limitations of mobile devices were identified principally as being a small screen size and network issues. To address these limitations, participants discussed downloading content ahead of time when they knew they would have no or limited network access.
As well as such planned activities, they were used opportunistically, this enabled them to make progress in their studies when they had unexpected free time but were not at their desks to use their PCs.

Participants were positive about the Flexilevel test and also using it in a mobile context for formative assessment. The results are taken to provide support for the idea that students would accept formative Flexilevel tests in mobile contexts.

Keywords:

Assessment, flexilevel test, mobile context, mobile learning.