Meaningful Mobile Learning Framework to Improve Learning Performance of Natural Science Students.

This article focuses on the development and evaluation of an Augmented Reality-based Meaningful Mobile Learning System (ARMMLS) designed to enhance botanical learning among elementary natural science students. The study proposes a framework integrating meaningful learning principles—active, authentic, constructive, cooperative, and interactive learning—with AR technology and outdoor activities to improve students' ability to identify aquatic plants. An experimental study with 47 fourth-grade students in Taiwan demonstrated that those using ARMMLS significantly outperformed a control group receiving traditional instruction, with a medium to large effect size (d = 0.73). Usability and meaningful learning questionnaires indicated positive student perceptions regarding the system's effectiveness, efficiency, and engagement. The findings suggest that ARMMLS offers a practical model for combining AR and meaningful mobile learning to support authentic, collaborative science education, while also highlighting the need for further research on long-term impacts and broader applications.