Mobile Learning Technologies for 21st Century Classrooms
Technology has always slowly being implemented into classrooms, from computers, iPads, laptops to interactive whiteboards, technology has always been right round the corner, and when talking about the digital natives of this generation, it is the most likely to succeed in teaching them through it.
But lets talk about mobile phone devices and how they impact this generation in a classroom setting! "Digital natives" are being exposed to more gadgets and technology every day and this is having a profound effect on the ways in which children learn. They are more engaged in learning when using the latest technological gadgets, because it is what they are most used to interacting with.
Our students don't just want mobile learning, they need it!
There are TEN great reasons why mobile phones are an acceptable resource in student learning and benefiting the classroom environment:
2. Relevance: mobile learning enables training to be ‘situated rather than simulated’ and so it makes learning possible at the point of need.
3. Learner control: the always-available nature of mobile learning empowers learners to take the initiative and direct their own learning activities.
5. Improves social learning (i.e. communicating with peers and experts): SMS texting reminders, knowledge sharing forums, ‘ask a question’ forms and the use of telephony are all means to enable interaction between peers and tutors using mobile devices.
6. Encourages reflection: the voice recorder on many mobile devices enables effortless and instantaneous recording of thoughts and opinions.
7. Elimination of technological barriers: the use of a learner’s own mobile device means they are already familiar with the technology, eliminating technological barriers to accessing learning.
8. Direct interaction with learning: with most mobile devices the use of touch screens and other more direct input devices removes a layer of interactivity, meaning the learner literally is interacting with the learning.
9. The power of personalisation: by getting the user to do the training on their own personal device they are more likely to engage with the learning. They are also more likely to do the training in their own time, rather than at work.
10. Heightened engagement: quick-fire knowledge or mobile assessments/quizzes, in between other kinds of training activities, keeps learning fresh and at the forefront of learners’ minds, making success more likely.
4. Fits many different learning styles: reading (text and graphics), video, animation, working through decision trees, listening to pod-casts contributing to discussions (forums or SMS), researching on the internet, choosing the correct answer (text or photograph), rating skills on a diagnostic… are all means for offering learning on mobile devices.
5. Improves social learning (i.e. communicating with peers and experts): SMS texting reminders, knowledge sharing forums, ‘ask a question’ forms and the use of telephony are all means to enable interaction between peers and tutors using mobile devices.
6. Encourages reflection: the voice recorder on many mobile devices enables effortless and instantaneous recording of thoughts and opinions.
7. Elimination of technological barriers: the use of a learner’s own mobile device means they are already familiar with the technology, eliminating technological barriers to accessing learning.
8. Direct interaction with learning: with most mobile devices the use of touch screens and other more direct input devices removes a layer of interactivity, meaning the learner literally is interacting with the learning.
9. The power of personalisation: by getting the user to do the training on their own personal device they are more likely to engage with the learning. They are also more likely to do the training in their own time, rather than at work.
10. Heightened engagement: quick-fire knowledge or mobile assessments/quizzes, in between other kinds of training activities, keeps learning fresh and at the forefront of learners’ minds, making success more likely.
Below is a YouTube clip demonstrating why and how using cell phones is an engaging way to help students learn in a classroom?
QR Codes - what are they? Can they influence learning in the classroom?
These funky things are called QR codes, or (quick response code), and there purpose is similar to a bar code where it fills a 2 dimensional space where people can scan to get the information on it, whether it be an advertisement, it can link people to websites and much more!
How does this help students learn?
WELL, These codes can be of great use in terms of students education as:
- It eliminates the frustration of long web addresses
- Students don't have to worry about typing in an error
- It can take them straight to the website
- It's perfect for all ages
- Easy to make (as a busy teacher)
- A fun an new experience!
- Students can scan their QR code using their mobile phone and take them directly to the website...no fuss no muss!
References
Some deep thinking in your post Kate. Well done.
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