Mobile learning significantly enhances student learning gains: A meta-analysis and research synthesis

Mobile learning has emerged as a strategy with multiple benefits to promote quality education. However, its overall impact on student learning gains and the factors influencing this effect remain unclear. To address this, we conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of 253 empirical studies evaluating the effects of mobile learning on student learning gains. Additionally, we performed a meta-regression to examine whether substantive features (education field, education level, learning environment, pedagogical approach), methodological characteristics (control treatment, mobile device, sample size), or study quality moderated the effect size. The results showed a large effect of mobile learning on student learning gains $\left(g=0.90,p<.001\right)\text{.}$ No significant moderating effects were identified, indicating that mobile learning consistently benefits students across different educational settings. This challenges the belief that mobile learning success depends on context. Instead, the findings underscore its broad potential to enhance learning outcomes in varied environments. This study contributes to theoretical understanding by establishing mobile learning as an effective and adaptable educational strategy and offers practical guidance for educators and policymakers seeking to maximize its benefits.