Mobile Technology for Learning
Mobile Technology for Learning
By Daniel Churchill,
The University of Hong Kong
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Mobile TechnologiesMobile Technologies
Nowadays, handheld devices are equipped with computer capabilities, wireless connectivity, a mobile phone, a camera and a variety of add-on extensions.
This tool potentially creates a spectrum of educational opportunities and a new type of student-technology partnership in learning. Image Source:
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/pda.htm
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Image source: http://www.marcrettig.com
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This is not only about Mobile Phones… This is not only about Mobile Phones…
Evac-Pack
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Interesting StatisticsInteresting Statistics
China mobile user base passes 501 million501 million mark (Source: Digitimes)
3 billion3 billion mobile phones -- half the world's population (Source: Reuters)
25% mobile phones in 2011 to cost less than $20less than $20 51%51% of mobile users interested in mobile TV More than 1 billion mobile internet subscribers 85 mil. internet users in Japan, 69 mil. access
internet via mobile phone, 21%21% access internet only through mobile phone (Source: http://www.judybrown.com/)
Mobile penetration rate in HK is at about 140%140%
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Interesting StatisticsInteresting Statistics
There are 63 millions63 millions mobile phone users in Indonesia (Suhartono, 2006)
It is predicted to reach 80 million80 million in 2007 (Jakarta Post 6 Jan. 2006).
Mobile phones are a symbol of Indonesian modernity (Barendregt, 2006)
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Functions of a Handheld Functions of a Handheld
Audio and Video MP Camera Phone / SMS On Screen Keyboard Office applications GPS Bluetooth IR SD and Mini SD WLAN
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Studies on Handheld in EducationStudies on Handheld in Education
Handhelds for teachers and students to share files (Ray, 2002)
Handhelds for students to ask questions, answer polls and give teachers feedback (Ratto, Shapiro, Truong & Griswold, 2003);
Handhelds for delivery of courseware and quizzes and as an intelligent tutoring system (Kazi, 2005);
Handhelds for dissemination of information and collection of data during field trips (So, 2004);
Handhelds as a tool that supports students’ inquiries (Sharples, Corlett & Westmancott, 2002; Clyde, 2004);
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Previous Studies with PDAPrevious Studies with PDA
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Handhelds in computer-supported collaborative learning (Roschelle & Pea, 2002; Zurita & Nussbaum, 2004);
Handhelds as personal tool for lifelong learning (Sharples, 2000);
Handhelds for disadvantaged young adults to improve literacy and numeracy skills (Attewell, 2005);
Handhelds for access to resources, as connectivity tool, as capture tool, as representational tool and as special calculator (Churchill & Churchill, 2005).
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Our Study of Educational AffordancesOur Study of Educational Affordances
Multimedia Access ToolConnectivity ToolCapture ToolRepresentational ToolAnalytical Tool
Multimedia Access Tool
■ Reading material as MS Word documents, PDF (Adobe Acrobat) files, and Web pages
■ PowerPoint presentation slides■ Images (diagrams, maps and pictures)■ Videos, MP3 files, multimedia
presentations■ Interactive learning objects
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Essential Interaction
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Thumbnail Preview
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Collapsible, Movable, Semitransparent
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Connectivity Tool
■ Using IR, Bluetooth, WiFi to exchange files and data
■ Phone, SMS, MMS■ Skype and other kind of connections via
internet
Capture Tool■ Taking images and short videos■ Attaching audio notes to images■ Audio-recording own observations■ Audio-recording teacher explanations■ Capturing GPS positions■ Special purpose software to assist capture■ Special purpose extensions
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Purpose of Using HandheldsPurpose of Using Handhelds
Analytical Tool■ Using calculator ■ Entering data in pre-designed Excel
worksheet and obtain certain calculations (special purpose calculators)
■ Analysis software for hanhelds
Representational Tool
■ Sketching diagrams■ Sketching information on the captured
images■ Drawing mind maps
Classroom UseAlso…
Individual StudentsIndividual Students
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Groups of StudentsGroups of Students
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Class 2Class 1
Any Level and AgeAny Level and Age
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Mobile TechnologiesMobile Technologies
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In ConclusionIn Conclusion
Mobile technology creates a spectrum of educational opportunities
Key affordances are: multimedia access, connectivity, capture, analytical and representational tool
Institution must give attention to mobile technologies
Students are coming to classes with this technology in their hands
They will expect their institutions to provide them with the opportunity to use this technology in learning
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Thank you for attention!Thank you for attention!
THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG Faculty of Education
Dr. Daniel Churchill Assistant Professor
Email: [email protected]: +852.2859.1141Web: http://www.learnactivity.com
Q&A