Enhancing Learning Experiences with Mobile Tools
Today, I met with the Centre for Academic Technologies at the University of Regina. The topic of discussion was possibilities for, and the potential of, mobile tools and learning. In preparation for this discussion I prepared this wiki on Mobile Tools. You will find links to stories, possible tools, ideas around teaching & learning, strengths/opportunities & weaknesses/barriers to consider and a selection of related links. In the end we agreed on the importance of remaining current on these technologies and attempting to ensure that courses are designed with possibilities for mobile tools in mind.
Hopefully in the near the future we will see these tools integrated into courses as they are needed and not because mobile seems to be the latest & greatest trend or flashy gizmo. My feeling is that some students are already self equipped with devices that have the potential to expand upon their access to content and overall learning experience. It was evident that his area is ripe for experimentation and innovation, as we generated far more questions than answers. We are continually looking for models of success and ideas of sound pedagogical application, please share if you have any stories of mobile technologies and learning.
There is much more on this topic that I want to unpack and think about. As tools advance, barriers to efficient use of the tools will decrease and learners will continue to find ways to utilize the mini computers that we carry.
I have a related post on MP3 players from January that has more thoughts on possibilities for tools.
Sasktel has shown interest in developing some mobile solutions for our school division. They are very interested in exploring its use with students and administrators. We hope to formalize our partnership with them in fall and will likely be doing some cool stuff with them very soon.
Hi Kyle,
I found your post very interesting, especially since I will be a new teacher next year. I am in a MAC program right now and we have an educational technology class right now which I did not think would be useful for me. Turns out I have learned a ton in that class, and I never realized how much technology such as wikis can be used in the class. I look forward to reading your posts so that I know what is in store for the future!
I am a grad student studying at the University of Michigan for a Master’s and Certification in secondary education. I am admittedly rather wary about technology in classrooms, if only because the recent emphasis on technological integration in education seems to be centered on simply being “relevant” or novel. I do not think that relevance - here meaning “current” - equates with quality education, nor novelty with true progress. Technology may or may not aid education, and the criteria for judgment should be based on whether or not technology aids intellectual development, a thing that far surpasses mere materialistic measurements. Technology is a tool, and one of many. It is not an indicator of academic excellence or intellectual rigor.
Coincidentally, we both have the same EEE-PC and the n800 running the same theme