How do apprentices use mobile devices for learning?
Last autumn, we undertook a survey of how apprentices in the German construction industry use mobile devices. This was undertaken as part of the Learning Layers project. We produced a report on this work in December, when some 581 apprentices had completed the survey. Now we have more than 700 replies. We plan to update our analysis to include those who responded after that date. However a number of people have asked me for access to the report as it is and so I am publishing it on this blog.
In summary we found
- 86,7 per cent of apprentices survey have a smartphone, 19,4 per cent a tablet
- 94 per cent pay for internet connectivity themselves
- 55.6 per cent use their smartphone or tablet more than 10 times a day
- 42.8 per cent say they use their mobile or tablet often or very often for seeking work-related information. However this relates to use outside work time, in the workplace the numbers are much lower.
- 58% use mobile devices for work-related conversations and 53.2 for work-related information
- 11.2 per cent say they often or very often use web tools in the workplace
- 95.9 per cent had heard of WhatsApp, only 16.7 per cent of the BoschApp designed for the construction industry
- The most frequently used app in the workplace was the camera, with 19.6 per cent using it often or very often
- 79.3 per cent sought information in text format and 59.2 per cent video.
Around half would like more information about using web tools for learning in the work process and 115 have left their email addresses for us to send further information
The survey indicates that the vast majority of German apprentices in the building trades possess devices and the skills to use them. These devices could be used as part of the Learning Layers project. As the cost of tablets and smartphones becomes cheaper, the digital divide does not seem to be a major issue for this group. Smartphones are used for acquiring work-related knowledge, through personal communication or from the internet. These activities are to a large extent carried out in the apprentices’ own time.
However, the work-related use of digital devices is still uncommon. 20% of the apprentices use their smartphones to make work related photos and such existing practices, could be used by the Learning Layers project for enabling the collective development and sharing of learning materials. The majority of apprentices think that the support offered by mobile devices at the workplace would be useful. The Learning Layers project has the chance to scale up the use of mobile devices by offering apps that are helpful and/or showing the possibilities of making innovative use of existing apps.
Knowledge about work-related apps is gained to a large extent from personal contacts with other apprentices, colleagues, and trainers.
You can download the full report here. If you would like access to the full data please email or skype me.
