Purpose: The principal aim of the research was to develop Interactive Mobile Learning Modules (IMLM) as an approach to innovative teaching practices in online distance education. Design/methodology/approach: The study employed educational action research, using a quasi-experimental design catering to ninth-grade students (N = 104) attending a public high school in Manila. Findings: Our research indicates that IMLM has a positive effect on student engagement. It provides students with a convenient, easily accessible, and engaging means of understanding Genetics concepts. The execution of this initiative has facilitated the emergence of novel ideas, heightened the ease of use, and advanced more equitable opportunities within the education domain. Thus, IMLM's utilization has resulted in a favorable shift in conceptual understanding. It has been found to support learners' concept test performance, as evidenced by score gains and statistically significant improvement in understanding. Research limitations/implications: The study is limited with the development and utilization of mlearning strategy to accommodate learners in the public school system in a developing country. Practical implications: The study addresses ongoing strategy and discussion to enrich online learning through the mlearning strategy. Social implications: The study accommodates inclusivity and equitable learning through personalize mlearning strategy. Originality/value: The study is novel because it utilize mlearning as innovative approach to teaching genetics.