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MOBILE LEARNING IN A HISTORY OF ART AND
ARCHITECTURE CLASSROOM
WALAIPORN NAKAPAN
Rangsit University, Patumthani, Thailand.
walaiporn@rsu.ac.th
Abstract. This paper presents a pilot project, using mobile devices in
a History of Art and Architecture classroom to enhance instructor-
student classroom interactions and student learning. At our Faculty of
Architecture this particular class has a usual high failure rate (26% F
in 2012). It is a compulsory course for architecture students, some of
them are required to take this course twice or more before they can
graduate. Traditional learning is lecture-based, and students studying
toward their tests are often overloaded with information. In June 2013,
Rangsit University initiated a new policy to provide tablets to every
freshmen; around 7,200 tablets were distributed campus-wide (Sam-
sung Galaxy Note 10.1 with S-pen). Toward the end of the class, the
students were asked to complete a questionnaire in order to find out
what they think about mobile learning. Typically, students are quite
satisfied, and give positive feedback in their comments. The experi-
ence gained from this pilot project will be extended to other classes.
Keywords. Design education; Mobile learning; History of Art and
Architecture.
1. Project background
This paper presents a pilot project using mobile devices in a History of Art
and Architecture classroom to enhance instructor-student classroom interac-
tions and student learning. At our Faculty of Architecture, Rangsit Universi-
ty, this particular class has an unusual high failure rate (26% F in 2012). It is
a compulsory course for architecture students, some of them are required to
take this course twice or more before they can graduate.
Traditional learning is lecture-based. Students study towards their tests
and are often overloaded with information; digesting contents of history of
art and architecture from 5,000 B.C. to Modern Days in a 14-week class is