A brief review of a resource or an organization that has recently changed my understanding of mobile learning


I am finding the FutureLab website to be very enlightening when I search by the tag mobile learning. There are 5 pages of search results totalling 46 articles with something to offer everyone.

I like a number of the ideas in Elizabeth Hartnell-Young’s article: What’s in a name? Why we can’t learn with mobile phones from Professional Educator 4, 3 (August 2005) pp 18-21. She provides examples of how mobile devices, particularly their cameras, can be used to capture portfolio evidence of learning. The Nokia Lifeblog software allows for users to connect their images and add reflections about them. That is a key component of learning by any definition. She also mentions that assessment is a key driving factor of learning for K-12 and how that inhibits the widespread use of the devices. Given that adult education often has less attachment to traditional assessments, her ideas could more readily be adopted in the post-secondary realm, whether for informal or formal learning. I have done a lot of work in the area of portfolio development for second career planning (post-military) so can appreciate tools such as Lifeblog. It sounds very useful. Does it only work on Nokia platforms?

Think about the uses of mobile devices for this course. Once we are in a forum, we receive emails of all the posts made in that forum. So no matter where I am, I know what my classmates are thinking vis a vis our course material. That in turn helps stimulate my reflections.

There is also a large handbook on handheld technologies for learning which I have not had time to explore but which highlights lessons learned from four handheld projects and a directory of many more.

This is an interactive site with a “Get Involved” section where anyone can join in the discussion and contribute their ideas on education and technology. For awhile there was a “Submit an idea” section regarding mobile learning but that appears to be closed to new ideas at this time (last call was in fall 09) but they appear to still be looking for those willing to trial projects and participate in R&D.

I am now noticing that there are a number of older articles mentioned and the links for some of those no longer work. Good thing that the above mentioned ones are available as .pdf downloads so that I have copies now for when those sites disappear. A lot stem from 2004/2005. I wonder why that might be. The Senior Researcher who is listed as having a keen interest in mobile learning is still producing lots on other subjects so maybe other innovations are occupying his attention.

There are many other mobile related links which can be followed, not to mention all those on other aspects of technology in education. This is definitely a useful site which is rather over-stimulating for my brain at the moment.

Check this resource out to see what might be of interest you.

Cheers.
Amy