Mobile Learning - Part 1 of 3 An Opportunity to Increase Teaching and Learning

Mary G. Beckmann

July 2008

Presentation Table of Contents

Part I: – About Mobile Learning

Part II:– Visual Content Available

Part III:– Auditory Content Available

Part I – About mobile learning

(Muyinda, 2007; Metcalf, 2006; Veltman, 2005 )

1. What is mobile learning

2. Benefits and opportunities of mobile learning

3. Types of mobile learning devices

4. Types of technology available for mlearning

5. Application of mlearning

1. What is mlearning?

mlearning is a model of training that blends electronic and distance education with portable mobile devices such as smart phones and hand held computers

2. Benefits and opportunities

Provides for self-directed, individualized, and self-paced learning

Provides interactive learning

Promotes life long learning because mlearning moves education out of the classroom for portable, anytime, anywhere learning (limited only by the design of a device)

Provides for global delivery of learning material

Complements and extends distance and online learning and classroom learning

(Salz, 2006), Metcalf, 2006; Downey, 2007)

3. Types of mobile learning devices

Personal digital assistants such as PalmPilots and pocket PCs are considered hand held computers (PDAs have evolved to mini PCs able to carry out many of the basic functions of a larger PC using either the Palm OS or MS Pocket PC operating system)

Smart mobile phones (phones capable of MP3 music files

and videos)(Naismith, Lonsdale, Vavoula, & Sharples, 2004

4. Technology currently available for mlearning

Text messaging Electronic reading material Internet capability MP3 audio files (podcasts – radio talk shows – music,

lectures, and audio books) Video cameras and video capability allowing for video

tutorials

http://www.grayharriman.com/mlearning.htm

5. Application of mlearning

There are multiple books and Internet resources providing ideas using mlearning in the teaching and learning environment:

Learning with mobile devices – a 204 page booklet www.lsda.org.uk/files/pdf/1440.pdf

Ten learning ideas using mlearning http://mlearning.edublogs.org/2006/11/16/top-10-learning-

ideas-to-try-with-mobile-devices/

What next…

Part II of this presentation will explore electronic reading content

Part III will explore audio and video content

Resources

Downey, G. W. (2007). Special report: schools work! Settting the record straight on ed-tech efficacy. eSchool News 10(7), p. 1-38.

Metcalf, D. S. (2006). mlearning: Mobile learning and performance in the palm of your hand. Amherst, MA: HRD Press.

Muyinda, P. B. (2007). Mlearning: pedagogical, technical and organizational hypes and realities. Campus-Wide Information Systems. 24(2). Retrieved October 10, 2007, from EBSCO pp. 97-104.

Naismith, Lonsdale, Vavoula, & Sharples. (2004). Literature review into mobile learning in the university context. Retrieved through Academic Search Premier database.

Salz, P. A. (2006). Learning to go. EContent 29(3), p 44-44. Retrieved through Academic Search Premier database.

Veltman, C. (2005). Financial times: Education-to-go is more than an academic matter. Retrieved December 13, 2008, from http://search.ft.com/ftArticle?queryText=Veltman&y=0&aje=false&x=0&id=050223002923&ct=0&nclick_check+1