Active learning using a smartphone app: analysing land use patterns in Cork City, Ireland

Opportunities to deploy digital technologies to research agendas and active learning in tertiary education are becoming more widespread. Despite this, many research techniques are still taught using traditional “pen-and-paper” methodologies. In this article, we report on a strategy for integrating mobile technology into our large (275+) module GG1015 Applied Geography, via the use of smartphones and the ESRI Collector for ArcGIS app. Focus groups identified three common themes among students in response to using this mobile technology in geographic research. Our findings suggest that digital technologies can enhance active learning in geography for all students. Similarly, such activities should not only be reserved for small groups, and can be up-scaled for larger class sizes, particularly when using new technologies. Finally, we illustrate how the use of technology in a group setting can foster teamwork, peer-to-peer learning, and positively reinforce the uptake of digital technology in geographic fieldwork.

在高等教育领域，将数字技术应用于研究议程与主动学习环节的机遇正愈发增多。尽管如此，诸多研究方法依旧采用传统的"纸笔式"教学模式。本文介绍了一项将移动技术融入大型（275人及以上）课程GG1015《应用地理学》的教学策略，具体依托智能手机与ESRI Collector for ArcGIS应用程序实现。焦点小组访谈发现，学生在地理研究中使用该移动技术后的反馈可归纳为三大核心主题。研究结果表明，数字技术能够增强全体学生在地理学科中的主动学习效果。同理，此类教学活动不应仅局限于小班授课，也可针对大班教学进行规模化拓展，在引入新技术的场景下尤为适用。最后，本文阐明了在小组协作场景中使用技术如何能够培养团队合作能力、促进同伴互助学习，并有效推动地理实地调研中数字技术的推广应用。