MOBILE LEARNING
Preet Khinda
Module3 Unit 5 Activity 1
In the past 50 years due to technological advancement,
the age old system of stationary learning has evolved to mobile learning. Where
in the resources required for mobile learning have become accessible due to the
advent and widespread use of computers and allied resources.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dECs3SRh8Xo
The question we face today is why, how and when and
why not mobile learning.
Why should a teacher be prepared to allow or
require students to use mobile devices to achieve learning objectives?
There are many possible methods and techniques for
teachers to integrate mobile devices into their lessons. Ultimately, the
goal of teaching primarily gets boiled down into two main objectives: have the
students learn the necessary standards while simultaneously developing 21st
century skills so they can develop into productive members of society.
These goals can likely be achieved by using techniques such as project
based learning (PBL), a flipped classroom, game based learning (GBL),
collaborative efforts, and so on.
Students are using mobile technology to communicate, play
games, research and browse on the internet, etc. Therefore, mobile
technology is such a big part of the students’ lives outside the
classroom, so why should educators limit the mobile use inside the
classroom?
The main reason of the why, as I understand is
that, the mobile resources can act as an omnipresent teacher to the students. A
teacher, who can repeat and 1000 times and then some. A teacher, who can be
accessed, as and when the student wants to learn.
Second most prominent reason in my understanding
is that an electronic device can hold the attention of a student much more than
a mere lecture or a paper pencil methodology of doing work. I would allow
mobile devices in my class for depth understanding of any topic. For example, I
can explain something in one particular way and then there is Khan Academy,
which can do so in totally different way. Thus making the student to understand
mathematics from different and all angels.
I will allow my students to use mobile devices
for immediate feedback. If they are able to do projects on a device and share
it with their peers, they have access to immediate feedback and constructive
criticism right there and then. Thus helping them to polish their projects when
it is fresh in their minds rather than a week or a month later when the teacher
is able to go through all the project and grade them.
Another main objective of mobile devices in my
class would be creativity. The applications available on the mobile devices
tend to help the students to be creative and imaginative. Both of which are
important 21st century skills.
Mobile devices also tend to make students
lifelong learners. The habit of researching ones topic of interest and learn
from it, tend to instill in a student to keep learning. Irrelevant to the age
any individual who can access knowledge anywhere anytime will no longer feel
ashamed of learning anything t a particular age. Hence the learning continues
with age.
Naturally, little obstacles and hiccups may occur while
using technology, and this helps students problem solve and critically think to
come up with solutions for any adversity they face while completing their
activities on the mobile device.
Thus, iPads or tablets can help develop “essential skill
areas — complex communication, new media literacy, creativity, and
self-directed learning” [5 Critical Mistakes Schools Make With iPads (And How
To Correct Them)]. Lastly, mobile technology allows students to create
the space they desire to function at their highest potential. [1][2]
Guiding Principles for Mobile
Mobile Learning is a slippery slope between being an asset
and a distraction in the classroom, so here are some guiding principles to help
ensure the mobile devices will help students learn the desired content while
developing their 21st century skills. [3]
- Student knowledge of the device / software?
- Are the students aware of the usage and knowledge of the digital content. Do they need introductory lesson to introduce them to a particular mobile device or software? Will this challenge the students at all by learning new digital media, or will it only utilize skills or media already learned
- Examples would include polling students in the class before about a specific application and students’ familiarity with it. By knowing student’s ability beforehand, teachers can properly integrate the mobile technology during the lesson to use class time efficiently. Teachers can brainstorm and research for new apps and methods to achieve the objectives of the lesson. An example would be to annotate a video instead of just watching it, or to collaborate in an app like VoiceThread instead of just discussing it in groups.
2. Is mobile necessary?
- By using this mobile device, does it aid the students in reaching the learning goal? Does it cause more distractions than it’s worth? Could a different technology or teaching technique be used to reach the goals more effectively?
- If the students need to spend too much time familiarizing themselves with the software or application, it can be a distraction and the learning goals may not be met in the most effective way. Teachers should take a step back and analyze the use of mobile in this lesson to double check that it’s the best way (all things considered) for students to deepen their knowledge and develop 21st century skills. In some cases, skills could be developed more effectively by using low-tech methods. Digital collaboration is great, but sometimes meaningful group discussions or debates can’t be topped.
3. Student freedom for creativity
- Are the students given free reign to be creative? Will they enjoy this freedom and have original creative ideas from their imagination and research?
- It is much easier to give hard bound directions to the students and make them create exactly what the teacher have in mind. But is that authentic and are students given the opportunity to be creative and produce something that’s original? Mobile tech is best used in this way, and students can amaze teachers in their ability to learn, develop, and create some meaningful products. Instead of drawing up the x’s and o’s to complete the assignment, teachers should share the learning objectives and evaluation criteria, and students should be given free reign to create something awesome.
4. Standards/Objectives at the
core?
- It is the teachers duty as a facilitator to make sure that the standards and learning objectives are used to integrate mobile learning for deeper understanding. Mobile learning shold be used to enhance student centered learning with content in the center with re-enforcement of the targeted learning outcomes.
- When making lesson plans, teachers should plan ahead and critically think about ways to integrate mobile learning into the curriculum. Teachers can’t deviate from the standards or goals, so the mobile technology shouldn’t distract or result in students missing those learning opportunities. Having clear documentation of lesson plans will help teachers stay on track and keep the standards/objectives at the core of all lessons. When integrating technology, especially of the mobile persuasion, educators run the risk of bypassing the standards or having students fall short of gaining the desired knowledge. Formative assessments or creatively assessing students’ acquisition of the content should be implemented.
5. Developing 21st century skills
- Is the mobile technology aiding in students’ ability to be ready for the 21st century? Creativity, collaboration, communication and critical thinking? Modify and adapt the lesson plan to creatively include as many skills as possible within the allotted time. Quality over quantity, so it’s better to do a couple things well than do several mediocre things.
- Mobile devices reek of 21st century skills so it’d be a bit more challenging to think of ways to mess this one up. That being said, an example of one way to ensure 21st skills are being developed is to create a little checklist and reminder that students can see in the classroom (on the whiteboard or a poster). Better yet, students can describe or reflect upon how the mobile activity addressed 21st century skills or the 4-C’s. They can therefore see first-hand how mobile devices can be used for learning, and this will help motivate them to be life-long learners with their mobile devices
6. Feedback accounted for?
- How fast and proper feedback can be given to the students for their work?
- Receiving feedback on how the activity went will be crucial so teachers can adapt and modify the lesson for future lessons. Students can provide meaningful insight into how the lesson worked, and ways it could improve. Tweaking the lesson for future use will help keep the student motivation elevated. Perhaps digital feedback could be gathered by using things like Google Forms, blogging, online polls, voice notes, etc.
Wrapping up
So doing a thorough study of the mobile
learning, I feel I am definitely going to use mobile learning in my classrooms.
It is the demand of today and necessity of future. Keeping in mind the
downsides, we can integrate lessons and evolve new ways to make it more
effective. So all in all, I feel mobile learning is revolutionizing learning in
every possible way for every age group thus making the people of the whole world
lifelong learners.
Citations:
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhMckBWrChk&index=3&list=PLXN- JCVb8z8AwU1HyscSNrg1wu_ydJ2H
[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6mdB5zSyqs&list=PLXNJCVb8z8AwU1HyscSNrg1wu_ydJ2H-&index=7o
