Mobile Technologies for Learning and Assessment

Twitter: #rsctvmlearn

Grainne Hamiltone-Advisor: e-Assessment

15 February 2011

1. iphone_bynetzkobold_CC BY-NC-SA 2.02. studentwithgalaxy_byUB_Sean_R_CC BY-SA 2-0viaflickr3. galaxytabonbus_byUB_SeanR_CC BY-SA 2.0viaflickr4. galaxytab_byUB_Sean_R_CC BY-SA2-0viaflickr

What is mlearning?

Lack of consensus on how mobile learning should be defined. Definitions range from a focus on the mobility of the technology to the mobility and flexibility afforded to the learner.

It’s learning Jim but not as we know it..

2011:It is entirely reasonable to talk to your android device to access your social networks ;)

By Geek and Poke (NCC-1701-D) ) [CC-BY-ND-2.0] via geekandpoke.com

2008

A possible definition...

• [Learning in future will] be learning transformed by the near-universal capacity to generate, discuss, store, transform, broadcast and consume ideas, information, ideas... In ways not defined, constrained, imagined by institutions. (John Traxler, 2009, quoted in JISC Mobile and wireless technologies review, 2010, p 10)

Why now?

• Smartphone sales outstrip PC sales for first time ever (IDC report 7th February 2011).

• The mobile year in review, 2010

What some reports are saying...• JISC Mobile and wireless technologies review (2010):

students expect “unhampered digital communication with their peers, tutors and administrators” and access to learning resources and information “as and when required”. (Executive Summary: Principle Findings).

• UCISA 2010 Survey of Technology Enhanced Learning for higher education in the UK: clear interest in mobile learning across UK Higher Education.

• The Horizon Report 2011 predicts that the timescale for major impact on teaching and learning of mobile devices for accessing networked resources to be one year or less. (The Horizon Report 2010 predicted that the timescale for major impact on teaching and learning of mobile computing to be one year or less.)

Some current characteristicsSpontaneous Disruptive

Opportunistic Informal

Pervasive

Situated

Personal

Context-aware

Bite-sized

Portable

Always connected

Anytime, anywhere

Internet

Collaborate and

connect

Apps

Social Networks

Multiple communication

channels

Create and

composeAccess to the cloud

Read, write, listen, view,

play

Augmented reality

Supporting Learning Organise

Read, write, view, listen, play

Communicate

Collaborate

Augmented reality

Be mobile

Supporting AssessmentAssessment procedures

Collect evidence of skills

Create and compose

Real-world problem-solving

Peer-to-peer support

Feedback

A day in the life of an mlearner

Start of day •Woken up by handheld•Check alerts for library recalls, assessment deadlines, timetable changes•Check bus timetables and use map + location services to meet friend

Travelling in•Receive SMS notification of rescheduled field trip•Review last week’s learning objects and listen to feedback from teacher

for last week’s audio responses to formative test questions•Post status to Facebook and check tweets

In class•Campus has high bandwidth network and wireless LAN. Teacher uses iPad connected to

whiteboard to demonstrate resources•Vote on questions using handheld. Results collated and displayed on whiteboard •Scan QR code with mobile QR scanner app to access podcast

A day in the life of an mlearner

Field trip•Contribute data individually in Google docs spreadsheet and analyse on

iPad•Take video and upload to ePortfolio•Take notes with audio recording. Email to self for review later

Going home•Log into ePortfolio, review material and update reflective log•Access VLE, check for new posts to discussion rooms and post feedback to

another student’s draft assignment outline•Check Facebook and respond to friend’s wall posts

Later on •Review notes and audio recording from field trip•Log in to formative test questions and provide audio responses•Synchronise handheld with laptop and back up data.

ConsiderationsShifting control

Infrastructure

Equality of access

Strategy / policies

Personal vs institutional

Implementing mlearningThese resources from the JISC publication: Innovative Practice with E-Learning were created in 2005 (before devices such as the ipad) but I think they could still provide a useful basis for considering the implementation of mlearning.

A manager’s planning tool for use of mobile and wireless technologies

Practitioner’s planning tool for use of mobile and wireless technologies

E-learning manager’s planning tool for use of mobile and wireless technologies

An institutional audit tool for mobile and wireless and other forms of e-learning

Links

Scan the QR code to access links to resources, case studies, research, apps, service providers etc relating to mlearning.

Alternatively you can access them at:

http://www.delicious.com/grainnehamilton/bundle:RSCtvmlearn

Case studies and links• JISC Mobile learning projects• JISC mobile and wireless technologies review

(scan the QR code opposite to access this on your mobile).

• JISC Innovative Practice in eLearning - embedding mobile and wireless technology. (A bit out of date but still provides some useful frameworks).

Where next?

The next frontier...

ility

Mobile Technologies for Learning and AssessmentGrainne Hamilton

e-Advisor: e-Assessment15 February 2011

Twitter: #rsctvmlearn