Empowering Students Through a Mobile Learning Masterclass in an Open Distance E-Learning Context: Design, Implementation, and Early Outcomes

Abstract

Mobile learning is widely promoted as a practical route to broadening access and strengthening digital capability in higher education, particularly in open distance e-learning environments where students’ connectivity, devices, and study contexts vary considerably. This study reports the design and implementation of a short, mobile-first masterclass delivered using a hybrid flexible model at a mega ODeL institution. Using a pre-post survey design complemented by open-ended responses, we examined changes in students' perceived digital literacy and digital self-efficacy following participation in the masterclass. Results indicate meaningful improvements in perceived capability and confidence for learning with mobile technologies, alongside high levels of satisfaction with the flexibility afforded by HyFlex participation. While outcomes are based on self-report and reflect short-term shifts, prior research has positioned digital self-efficacy as a key determinant of competent and sustained technology use, as well as a pathway to engagement in online learning. The paper discusses implications for scalable mobile learning support in resource-constrained settings and outlines next steps for integrating objective indicators, such as learning analytics and performance-based tasks, into future evaluations.