M-Learning Simon Fitzpatrick. …use of mobile and handheld IT devices, such as PDAs, mobile phones,...

M-Learning

Simon Fitzpatrick

• …use of mobile and handheld IT devices, such as PDAs, mobile phones, laptops and tablet PCs, in teaching and learning.” BECTA

• Location-independent– Built-in power source (e.g. batteries)– Connectivity via wireless, telephony, infra-red…

• Some definitions also include:– Reading books, listening to tapes on a train…

• Wireless networking– Using radio, satellite or mobile technologies, rather

than cabling

• Portable computers– Laptops

• Full desktop functionality• How mobile are they?

– Tablet PCs• Desktop-like functionality with dedicated

software• Input via keyboard, pen or voice-controlled• Less bulky than laptops

Handheld computers/PDAs

• Driven by a pen (keyboards available)• Lightweight and portable• Slimmed down OS and custom

applications• Hot syncing of files with PCs• Internet access via SIM Card

Other devices

• Mobile phone: SMS, cameras, Internet• Personal Media Players (PMP): Audio/video

storage and playback, Bluetooth, podcasting• Digital cameras and camcorders• Voting systems• Digital pens• Peripheral devices such as printers,

scanners…

Mobile Communication• Messaging via SMS (text) or MMS

(multimedia)• Instant messaging and chat• RSS (Rich Site Summary/Really Simple

Syndication)

• Benefits:– Improved access

– Increase learner motivation

– New ways of doing things

Other areas of interest:

• Recording achievement (RARPA)• Administrative uses

– News and announcements– Contacting learners– Marketing and publicity– Anything else?....

Examples

• Cornwall Art Online: virtual art gallery• Peterborough College of Adult Education: Talking

Sticks• South Gloucs ACL: digital photography to record

achievement• Chesterfield College: visual diaries• Buckinghamshire: PDAs with hard-to-reach groups

Plymouth: Using Qwizdom voting system

But…

• Do people really want to use mobile devices for learning?

• Current limitations of devices

• Security and Privacy

• Copyright and IPR

In summary:– Considerable interest in m-Learning– Latest fad or next big thing?– Variety of devices available– Volatile area– Mobile learning has great potential:– Range of new challenges to be met

• Portability• Screen size and quality• Connectivity, speed and

cost of use• Operating system and

applications• Ease of use

(interface/input devices)

Issues to consider when choosing devices:

• Formats and media supported

• Cost (of devices and of using them)

• Battery life • Storage and memory

capacity• Interoperability with

other devices• Others?.......

• Conclusions…