To What Extent can ‘Bring Your Own Device’ be an Enabler to Widening Participation in Higher Education for the Socially Disadvantaged?

Authors

  • Michael Bass Sheffield Hallam University
  • Siavosh Haghighi Movahed Sheffield Hallam University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14297/jpaap.v6i1.321

Keywords:

BYOD, Higher Education, Personalised Learning, Socially Disadvantaged

Abstract

Certain elements of higher education are historically regarded as being elitist and steeped in so much history and tradition that many institutions are unwilling to change to cater for the populations that they serve. Despite reams of government legislation and continued pressure from social groups the proportion of university students from socially disadvantaged backgrounds remains stubbornly low. This research aims to look beyond the financial and psychological support given to these groups and instead see what can be done to overcome the barriers to learning they face by utilising a Bring Your Own Device strategy. This research has focused on socially disadvantaged individuals from the UK and the findings have led to the conclusion that BYOD can be an enabler to widening participation. However, it is not an overarching solution for all and there is a distinct need for the technology to be properly integrated into teaching activities as some academic staff remain resolute to delivering in the traditional lecture format that does not facilitate engagement or interaction.

Author Biographies

Michael Bass, Sheffield Hallam University

Michael Bass is a lecturer in business systems and data analytics at Sheffield Hallam University. He runs his own successful consultancy service for new business enterprises and worked for several years in the private healthcare sector across Europe and Asia.

Siavosh Haghighi Movahed, Sheffield Hallam University

Siavosh Haghighi Movahed is a senior lecturer in Computer Networks and the course leader for MSc Advanced Computer Networks at Sheffield Hallam University. Working in industry for more than a decade both as a senior network engineer and a network manager in mission critical networks, has given him the ability to draw on previous experiences to design innovative practical teaching and learning environments. He is extremely passionate about innovative ways of learning and teaching computer networking in higher education.

References

Beach, M. (2014). How Schools are Implementing "Bring Your Own Device". Canada: Teach.

Billing, S., & Waterman, A. (2003). Studying service-learning : innovations in education research methodology. Routledge: New York

Bruder, P. (2014). Gadgets go to School: The Benefits and Risks of BYOD. NJEA Review, 15-18.

Burke, P. J. (2012). The right to higher education: beyond widening participation. London: Routledge.

Butler, N. (2010). Break down the barriers to higher education. Retrieved 2 December, 2015, from www.ft.com/cms/s/0/484ac184-ab0e-11df-9e6b-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3bumZxGxV

Cabinet Office. (2012). University Challenge: How Higher Education Can Advance Social Mobility. London: HMSO.

Callender, C., Wilkinson, D., Gibson, A., & Perkins, C. (2011). The impact of higher education for part-time students. UK Commission for Employment and Skills, Evidence Report 36. Retrieved 15 May, 2016, from UKCES: http://www.ukces.org.uk/assets/ukces/docs/publications/evidence-report-36-impact-of-he-for-pt-students.pdf

Chowdry, H., Crawford, C., Dearden, L., Goodman, A., & Vignoles, A. (2010, May). Widening Participation in Higher Education: Analysis using Linked Administrative Data. Retrieved 20 October, 2015, from Institute for Fiscal Studies: http://www.ifs.org.uk/wps/wp1004.pdf

Clark, G. (2012, 12 December). 2010 to 2015 Government Policy: Higher Education Participation. Retrieved 20 October, 2015, from Department for Business, Innovation and Skills: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/2010-to-2015-government-policy-higher-education-participation

Cochrane, T. (2014, August). Riding the wave of BYOD: developing a framework for creative pedagogies. Retrieved 18 November, 2015, from Research in Learning Technology: http://www.researchinlearningtechnology.net/index.php/rlt/article/view/246

Fuller, A., Heath, S., & Johnston, B. (2011). Rethinking widening participation in higher education the role of social networks. London: Routledge.

Gordon, J., Miller, C., Dumbleton, S., & Kelly, T. B. (2011). A Smooth Transition? Students’ Experiences of Credit Transfer into a Social Work Degree in Scotland. Social Work Education, 55-69.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/02615471003682594

Haidrani, S. (2013). What life is like for a commuter student. Retrieved 4 January, 2018, from The Independent: http://www.independent.co.uk/student/student-life/what-life-is-like-for-a-commuter-student-8911120.html

OFFA. (2015). Retrieved 14 November, 2015, from Office for Fair Access: https://www.offa.org.uk

HEFCE. (2010). Trends in young participation in higher education: core results for England. London: HEFCE.
Houston, M., McCune, V., & Osbourne, M. (2011). Flexible learning and its contribution to widening participation: a synthesis of research. York: York: Higher Education Academy.

Hughes, G. (2007). Using blended learning to increase learner support and improve retention. Teaching in Higher Education, 349-363.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/13562510701278690

ICOF. (2013). Analysis of UCAS acceptances for 2012/2013 admissions. Retrieved 20 October, 2015, from Independent Commission on Fees: http://www.independentcommissionfees.org.uk/wordpress/wpcontent/uploads/2013/04/Independent-Commission-on-Fees-April-2013-Report.pdf

Johnson, J. (2015). Universities Minister Demands Better Value for Money for Students. Retrieved 20 October, 2015, from Department for Business, Innovation and Skills: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/universities-minister-demands-better-value-for-money-for-students

Kelly, P., & Mills, R. (2007). The ethical dimensions of learner support. Open Learning, 149-157.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/02680510701306699

Kemmer, D. (2011). Blended learning and the development of student responsibility for learning: a case study of a ‘widening access’ university. Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning, 60-73.
doi: https://doi.org/10.5456/WPLL.13.3.60

Kobus, M., Rietweld, P., & Ommered, J. (2013). Ownership versus on-campus use of mobile IT devices by university students. Computers & Education, 29-41.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2013.04.003

Kong, S. C., & Song, Y. (2015). An experience of personalized learning hub initiative embedding BYOD for reflective engagement in higher education. Computers & Education, 227-240.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2015.06.003

Leonard, J., Earl, J., & Sidler, J. (2005). Cultural Relevance And Computer-Assisted Instruction. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 263-284.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/15391523.2005.10782437

Luckin, R. (2010). Learner-generated contexts: a framework to support the effective use of technology for learning. Web 2.0-Based E-Learning: Applying Social Informatices for Tertiary Teaching, 70-84.

Margaryan, A., Littlejohn, A., & Vojt, G. (2010). Are digital natives a myth or reality? University students’ use of digital technologies. Computers & Education, 429-440.

Mccaig, C., Molesworth, M., Nixon, E., & Scullion, R. (2010). Access agreements, widening participation and market positionality: enabling student choice? Routledge: London.

Miriam, D., & Bathmaker, A.-M. (2010). Improving learning by widening participation in higher education. Routledge: London.

Moore, J., Sanders, J., & Higham, L. (2013). Literature review of research into widening participation to higher education. Retrieved 20 October, 2015, from HEFCE: http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/rereports/Year/2013/wplitreview/Title,92181,en.html

Moule, P., Ward, R., & Lockyer, L. (2010). Nursing and healthcare students' experiences and use of e-learning in higher education. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2785-2795.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2010.05453.x

Observer Editorial. (2013). Education: bring down the barriers to our best universities. Retrieved 2 December, 2015, from The Guardian: www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/10/higher-education-university-schools-a-levels

OFFA. (2015). Retrieved 14 November, 2015, from Office for Fair Access: https://www.offa.org.uk

Shukla, A. (2015, 29 September). Universities are reaching out - but some disadvantaged students remain hidden. Retrieved 20 October 20, 2015, from The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2015/sep/29/universities-are-reaching-out-but-some-disadvantaged-students-remain-hidden

Stiglitz, J. (2015). The Great Divide. London: Penguin.

Downloads

Published

2018-04-24