An exploration of student experiences with social media and mobile technologies during emergency transition to remote education

The adoption of mobile computing technologies in higher education has been accelerated during the emergency transition
\nfrom on-campus to distance learning, which occurred due to the unprecedented situation caused by Covid-19 pandemic.
\nThe aim of this study is to explore how undergraduate students experienced learning through mobile computing devices
\nduring the emergency transition to remote education; how this experience may have impacted learner engagement and their
\noverall academic performance; and students’ perceptions on the role social media played while learning under lockdown.
\nTo gather students’ insights and perceptions, in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with both full-time and
\npart-time undergraduate students. Three main themes emerged from the thematic analysis of the interview data. Firstly, the
\nsignificant, multifaceted role social media play during distance education in keeping students engaged; secondly, students’
\npositive experiences with using mobile computing devices to support their learning under lockdown; and thirdly, the
\nfrustrations from learning at a distance with mobile technologies. The research findings can empirically inform the design
\nof engaging, inclusive, and inviting mobile learning environments towards improving the experiences of the mobile learner
\nin an everchanging world.