Abstract

Digital transformation in higher education offers new opportunities to promote sustainability-oriented innovation and equitable learning in developing countries. This study investigates how integrating mobile phone technology and applications into inquiry-based instruction can enhance students' innovative thinking skills while promoting sustainable learning environments in university classes. Thirty Indonesian University students participated in a mixed-method intervention involving pre- and post-tests and semi-structured interviews to investigate the effects of mobile-supported inquiry learning on four components of innovative thinking: questioning, observing, exploring, and networking ideas. Quantitative analysis revealed significant improvements in questioning and exploring (Cohen’s d = 0.48 and 0.82), while qualitative findings highlighted improvements in motivation, engagement, and digital literacy. The integration of mobile applications facilitated the development of advanced cognitive processes and improved the ability of students to connect conceptual learning with the solution of genuine, real-world problems. This study enhances Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) by employing hands-on and questioning methods in mobile learning. It demonstrates how digital teaching can be made user-friendly, thereby fostering the development of sustainability-focused, creative, and thoughtful learners. The findings provide valuable advice to universities that aspire to establish inclusive, efficient, and innovative learning experiences that are aligned with SDG 4 and SDG 9, particularly by identifying specific strategies and best practices that can enhance sustainability education.