Mobile Learning

Six years ago it was a rarity that kids I knew had an iPhone or any smart phone. This was especially true in the classroom. Well time has passed and I don’t know if it is the technological or cultural changes in this last half decade or the dilution of class norms that I experienced in college, but it seems that cellphones are becoming much more of a commodity for students. These young adults are attached by the hip, almost quite literally, to their devices. If this is the case then isn’t it time we as educators move forward with the technological revolution? Well in some practical methods we have started to initiate programs that do just that. Specifically I am talking about mobile learning devices to achieve learning objectives.

First off I am sure you are asking what are mobile learning devices? Mobile learning devices can be defined in which a student ‘”is learning by means of wireless technological devices that can be pocketed and utilized wherever the learner’s device is able to receive unbroken transmission signals” (El-Hussein & Cronje 2010). This can be an array of different technologies; cellphones, iPad’s, Laptops, and many other technological devices. This posting is meant to explain the positives of using these devices in order to achieve learning objectives. I will create a case for using these devices. First off explaining why a teacher should be prepared to use this method. Following with a list of guiding principles for my approach. Finally a few examples of mobile learning in my classroom.

We lead of with the age old question that has caused men to pull out their hair on debating topics of the world, why? As an educator with twenty years of experience you have the actual teaching knowledge that someone like myself will not. However in this ever growing technological age the generational gap must not hinder our ability to successfully teach to the fullest extent we can. So we must all put egos aside and enact these new methods. These are the following reasons. 21^st century skills are becoming more crucial the world. When you must apply for a position electronically or in order to complete basic college course work you need a laptop these skills become crucial. The ability to use mobile learning is not only setting up success for students in college but for their careers, in personal agendas, and honestly for some of the most basic situations. One study from Maine showed that kindergartners who used iPad's actually had higher scores on literacy tests then those who didn’t as reported by Ashley Wainwright. It also creates an ease of use for both the educator and the student. One program the University of Idaho used was BBLearn. It essentially was a website which connected professors to all of their students. They had assignments, syllabuses, course work, and even a little discussion board on this page. The ease of the website however was made even more valuable by the implication of a mobile app. The ability to use my phone and check my course work or turn something in anywhere created a successful college career. It also made it easy to contact my fellow classmates and professor. The ease of mobile technology in order to communicate more fluidly along with the benefits of making course work and slides more accessible is not something that can be denied.

Now you may be thinking that this is more of a realistic goal then a long shot dream, but how will you implement this? The most important aspect of the introduction of a new strategy is to have clear and concise guidelines and practice methods.

Open-minded-

A teacher must have the ability to look at this as an exciting new experience. Tom Daccord explains one of the critical mistakes in his 5 point thesis on mistakes schools make with iPads. His point is that teachers are focusing on content apps too much. Specifically subject specific apps. You must look at other apps such as a presentation app in which students can view lectures days after class. Avoid looking for an app specifically for your subject, look at alternatives that bring the most of your lesson plans.

One-to-One-

The whole reason to add mobile learning to student’s class experience is to improve their learning. Another way to do that is one on one learning, with teachers that may be impossible, with technology it can be a realistic goal. Marc Prensky discusses the importance of this notion. Creating a personal learning experience can drastically improve a student’s learning, Marc describes how technology focuses on each learner while personalizing the experience.

Usefulness-

No matter what you do as an educator with mobile learning, it should be efficient. Efficiency is a key asset to making this work. One could have a mobile website in which students can views, courses, the curriculum, lesson plans, notes, assignments. The whole point for mobile learning is to make the learner have a higher chance at success and to understand the material. Organize it in a way that will help your learner. Edutopia states that material should be “set up so they can be found and mixed and matched easily”.

Two examples of implementations.

1. Use a tablet create an interactive learning game, one in which the students can compete with each other through the devices. Possibly a math based game in which students interact, compete, and communicate through the tablet. The students would get to not only use mobile learning but also the incorporation of a game would create an interest.

2. Have students use camera applications to record videos for projects. Students can either record a full length video one shot, snap shots of moments and compile them or a scripted film. They could personalize their own project with which ever application they may want to use.

References

Daccord, T. (2012). 5 Critical Mistakes Schools Make With iPads. Edudemic.com. Retrieved 25 April 2016.

El-Hussein, M. O. M., & Cronje, J. C. (2010). Defining Mobile Learning in the Higher Education Landscape. Educational Technology & Society, 13 (3), 12–21.  

Prensky, M. (2005). Shaping Tech for the Classroom. Edutopia. Retrieved 25 April 2016.

Wainwright, A. (2016). 8 Studies Show iPads in the Classroom Improve Education. Securedgenetworks.com.