Which Computing-Related Conceptions Do Learners Have About the Design and Operation of Smartphones?: Results of an Interview Study

Abstract

Smartphones have had a rapid rise. From the first affordable mobile phones to modern high-tech devices, they have become ever more complex and increasingly popular. In 2016, almost 100% of the 12 to 19 years-old youths in Germany owned a smartphone and used it regularly. Considering their large impact on adolescents' lives, smartphones are uniquely suited to be analyzed as examples of socio-technical computing systems in secondary computing education. Moreover, they play an increasing role in digital media education in all school subjects. There is however, among other things, a lack of scientific work covering learners' conceptions of smartphones needed for learner-centered computing education with and about smartphones. This article describes an explorative study that investigated secondary school learners' conceptions in the context of smartphones. A first overview of existing conceptions regarding selected aspects of smartphones was derived from eight semi-structured interviews.