Mobile learning (m-learning)
refers to learning that takes place using mobile technology, anytime or
anyplace. It usually happens when people are away from their offices or
classrooms. It is not normally a student’s main choice. Students are able to
access documents, quizzes and self-assessments, participate in lessons or
tutorials, receive lectures from podcasts or even live, access video clips or
audio libraries, read discussion board posts, or communicate with classmates or
professors instantly. The challenges can
be the fact that the screens are small, there is limited storage, battery life,
operating system problems, less robust, graphic and flash limitations, devices
become quickly outdated, or wireless bandwidth limitations (Hashemi, Azizinezhad, Najafi, & Nesari, 2011). Mobile
computing could be smart phones, tablets, or laptops. As for assessment, personal
response systems allow teachers to quiz students, and instantly assess students
before, during, and after a lesson. All that is required to do this is for the
device to have the ability to send text (SMS) messages (Johnson, Smith, Levine,
& Haywood, 2010). As for formative assessments using mobile or online
methods, there are many tools such as self-test quiz tools, discussion forums
and e-portfolios. This helps the learner’s engagement and also helps to build
community which increases learning (Gikandi, J., Morrow, D., & Davis, N., 2011).
References:
Gikandi, J., Morrow, D., & Davis, N. (2011). Online
formative assessment in higher education: A review of the literature. Computers & Education, 57(4), 2333-2351.
Hashemi, M., Azizinezhad, M., Najafi, V., & Nesari, A.
J. (2011). What is mobile learning? Challenges and capabilities. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 30,
2477-2481,
Johnson, L., Smith, R., Levine, A., & Haywood, K.,
(2010). The 2010 horizon report: K-12 edition.
Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium.
Hello Winnie!
ReplyDeleteI agree with your challenges and like the fact that you included battery life, flash limitations, and problems with Wi-Fi. I know if students are taking an assessment on an iPad, a flash base system probably will not work. When creating online assessments, we need to remember these things.
For formative assessments, I like the student response systems. I have not tried the texting option, but know it is an option that is currently becoming more popular. Have you tried using cell phones as a student response system?
I have used cell phones in one of my classes on campus at Liberty this summer, but I have never used them in a class that I teach. A group presented on mobile instruction and had us take several polls. It was really fun. I loved seeing the results immediately. I teach 3rd and 4th grade math and language and K-9 computer class. So, my kids don't really have phones with them! I am curious though about how this will effect high school now that we are growing our school into high school. It is something that I have been talking to my principal about. I do allow them to bring their own laptops to class and work on their computer rather than the schools' desktops. It makes them feel so important bringing their own technology! My biggest concern is the haves versus the have nots. I hate for the great digital divide to be right there in my classroom. I don't even have a smart phone! My husband says mine is just "C Average."
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTechnology and mobile learning have definitely come a long way. I agree that some of the devices used to access mobile learning have limitations. One of the greatest limitations is Wi-Fi access.
ReplyDeleteSmartphones always have access if the carrier is decent and the user has enough space in the data plan. However with IPods, some tablets and laptops, if Wi-Fi with a guest account or access to a password is not available; it can be impossible to get to the website for the class. Smartphones have tiny screens and cell service for tablets is really expensive.
I read an article awhile back where a high school tried issuing an IPad to every student. It did not work out well. The breakage factor became too expensive for the school to continue the program. Parents signed a notice to pay for breakage. However if the parent could not afford it, the school had to eat the cost (Scott, 2012).
Technology is a wonderful thing. I think we are on the brink of m-learning. The cost and infrastructure is just not there yet in the public school system to implement many of the advantages that m-learning can provide.
Scott, M. (2012, June 14). ipads more fragile than expected and other lessons from first year of zeeland high schools' ipad program. Retrieved from http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2012/06/ipads_in_education_lessons_lea.html
It's funny that you would mention that. My husband has a Smart Phone and iPad. He was at my school the other day (which is 7 miles out in the country), and he had no coverage. He was SO frustrated. He had something he needed to respond to but couldn't due to no coverage! That was AT&T - so it's a pretty big carrier.
DeleteWinnie:
ReplyDeleteI truly enjoyed reading your post! It's funny how much time has changed. I remember having dial-up Internet. We could only access the Internet using a telephone line. I remember we could only use the Internet on a desktop computer. Now, we can access the Internet from anywhere. WiFi plays a great part in accessing the Internet from anywhere using any mobile device. From using our Smartphones, IPODs, and IPADs we can utilize the Internet all across the world. Umm..I wonder what the next big thing is going to be!
Hi Winnie,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that the various online access tools help to attract more learners to an online environment. Students who desire flexibility with their schedule are drawn to eLearning opportunities and with the online tools they become familiar with the assessment tools as well. Whether project based, multiple choice questions, self reflective blogs, collaborative tools and peer evaluations, online assessments are designed to give the student feedback as it relates to course materials.
LeRhonda