Mobile Devices in the Mobile Devices in the ClassroomClassroom

Tools or Toys?Tools or Toys?

Mobile Technology - is it a worth Mobile Technology - is it a worth investing in?investing in?

Mobile devices are the front running technology in the US as well as Mobile devices are the front running technology in the US as well as the rest of the world.the rest of the world.

Our kids are growing up in a world of technology the often feel their Our kids are growing up in a world of technology the often feel their teachers do not understand or appreciate.teachers do not understand or appreciate.

Is mobile technology Is mobile technology appropriate for the appropriate for the classroom?classroom?

Despite the push to Despite the push to rid classrooms of rid classrooms of mobile technology, mobile technology, the vast majority of the vast majority of students are still students are still bringing them to bringing them to school and using school and using them to get the them to get the information they need information they need (Eisele-Dyrli, 2011).(Eisele-Dyrli, 2011).

What are the advantages of using What are the advantages of using mobile devices in schools?mobile devices in schools?

Record video, photosRecord video, photos

Store / view ebooks (save Store / view ebooks (save backs and the planet)backs and the planet)

Thousands of apps for Thousands of apps for thousands of usesthousands of uses

Easy to use interfaceEasy to use interface

Cost effectiveCost effective

Do not rely on expensive Do not rely on expensive hardwarehardware

They promote collaboration They promote collaboration and global connectivityand global connectivity

How can they be used How can they be used for learning?for learning?

Their use increases Their use increases student engagementstudent engagement

Even very young Even very young children can use children can use them them

Kids want to see the Kids want to see the technology they use technology they use everyday in schools everyday in schools (Spires, et al. 2008)(Spires, et al. 2008)

Students love to use them!Students love to use them!

Engagement = LearningEngagement = Learning

Engaged children means less classroom Engaged children means less classroom managementmanagement

Mobile Devices Promote Mobile Devices Promote Collaborative LearningCollaborative Learning

Teachers can bring lectures, assignments and Teachers can bring lectures, assignments and resources to students fingertipsresources to students fingertips

Communication between teachers and students Communication between teachers and students becomes instantbecomes instant

Students can share ideas and knowledge with Students can share ideas and knowledge with other students locally or around the globeother students locally or around the globe

Mobile devices can be used for immediate Mobile devices can be used for immediate assessment (assessment (

Mobile Devices are a Mobile Devices are a powerful tool for powerful tool for students with students with disabilitiesdisabilities

Apps often replace clunky and Apps often replace clunky and expensive assistive devicesexpensive assistive devices

Interface incorporates sounds Interface incorporates sounds and graphic representations, and graphic representations, enhancing engagement and enhancing engagement and ease of useease of use

Students can browse content Students can browse content at their own pace.at their own pace.

What do the test scores What do the test scores say?say?

ActivityActivity

Discuss with your neighbor how you might use Discuss with your neighbor how you might use mobile technology in your classroom.mobile technology in your classroom.

Write down on a sheet of paper one idea for Write down on a sheet of paper one idea for using mobile technology with students.using mobile technology with students.

Be ready to share it with the class.Be ready to share it with the class.