Date of Conferral

2017

Degree

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

School

Education

Advisor

Kriesta Watson

Abstract

Female baby boomer students (born 1946-1964) need to augment their skills in mobile collaborative learning because current knowledge of technologies is essential for making informed decisions. The purpose of this study was to determine the need to promote technologies based on the experiences of female baby boomer students. Andragogy and constructivism provided the conceptual framework for this research. The research questions were devised to investigate female boomer students' collaborative experiences using smart devices and barriers to their adoption of technology. This phenomenological study included 8 participants from a Canadian university recruited through purposeful sampling. Per the Modified Stevick-Colaizzi-Keen method, data were simultaneously collected via interviews, analyzed by coding, and organized into themes until saturation. Age was the main deterrent for technology adoption, and obstacles included embracing a new process, feeling that information was secure, and resolving technical difficulties. Results indicated that female baby boomer students were not ready to lead in the use of mobile collaborative learning and could not maintain rapid technological changes. Mature students may need training in cloud computing; a 1-semester blended course was proposed to enable these students to learn mobile technologies and collaborative skills. This study identifies the technology learning needs of baby boomer students, which will help those looking for ways to teach students in this age range. When leaders in their field of study know how to use current technologies, they will be more productive in their communities.

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