Abstract:
This study made use of a qualitative approach with an intrinsic case study to explore how
handheld devices applications were integrated in teaching and learning in Textiles, Clothing and Design
programmes. Participants of the study were purposively sampled from the Textiles and Clothing depart
ment at a selected university of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe comprising eight lecturers and
thirty-two students. In-depth, focus group interviews and observations were used to gather data for the
study. The findings of the study showed that participants were still at the stage of actively experimenting
with very limited handheld device applications for the purposes of teaching and learning. Photoediters
and digital cameras were the commonest applications used in most modules of the Textiles, Clothing and
Design programmes. Though the photoediters and digital cameras were found to match the multimedia
category of the Functionality framework, these were not fully utilised by students. It was recommended
that there is need for the Textiles, Clothing and Design lecturers to provide opportunities for students to
use a variety of applications on handheld devices for collaborative designing in practical modules of the
programmes as these can encourage the development of critical skills necessary for creating innovative
textiles and fashion designs
