Example 1
- 1. Abilene Christian University ACU gives each undergraduate student an iPhone or iPod. The ACU instructors use the iTunesU store to facilitate learning by using educational applications or “apps”. The ACU instructors use these apps in the classroom to promote collaboration and open discussions. ACU created a portal specifically developed for mobile devices to enable students to keep track of university news and other university events.
- 2. Purdue University Purdue University uses and developed several applications or “apps” that are designed to help students succeed academically. Purdue University calls these apps “Studio”. These apps are specifically designed to facilitate and engage students to collaborate with one another. One of the apps called Hotseat allows students to respond to questions in a large lecture class with mobile devices. This breaks down the barrier that students can experience is very large class. There is also an app called Doubletake that allows students to create video and audio files on their mobile device, share them with one another and submit the a video assignment. The app called Jetpack allows faculty to create content and students to download interactive e- textbooks.
- 3. Mobile and Immersive Learning for Literacy in Emerging Economies (MILLEE) This mobile learning outreach program was undertaken by Carnegie Mellon University and University of California, Berkeley. These universities provide support and have developed M- learning applications for English teachers who are teaching children in the poor and rural parts of India. This outreach program allows Indian children to use mobile phones to learn English. Because many of them work on farms or many times are not able to attend school, using M-Learning allows these students to continue learning even if they cannot come into the classroom.
- 4. Technical Support It is necessary to have technical support for the mobile devices used in M-Learning. This can be challenging because there is a wide range of different devices. It is important that universities have a support infrastructure in place before implementing and/or piloting M-Learning. Here are examples of how two universities provide technical support for students and faculty. Arizona State University ASU provides mobile users 24/7 phone support. A walk- in Tech Studio is open regular business hours. ASU also has on-campus Verizon store and support and an Apple hardware repair shop. Central Michigan University CMU provides on-campus phone and in person support. An introductory course is available for students who are unfamiliar with iPod and other mobile devices.
- 5. Mobile Devices Battery Life Depending on what mobile device is being used, battery life is an issue. Running applications or apps, recording video and audio use a lot of battery power. This should be kept in mind when developing instructional applications, developing content material and assignments. Screen size The viewable screen size greatly varies. Applications and instructional material should be kept simple and be designed specifically for a smaller screen size. Cost to students Student may not be able to afford the devices or data plans required to participate. Campus Wireless Network The campus wireless network infrastructure needs to be able to support the students and faculty mobile devices. Many of the M-Learning applications and web applications require an internet connection.
- 6. Instruction Providing mobile device training and support for faculty, instructors and staff will need to be considered. It is also important to decide how M-Learning is going to be used in instruction. Ideally, the learning objectives and outcomes should be determined before using software or a specific technology. Students and instructors may experience technical difficulties when using mobile device. It is important to be flexible with instruction and plan ahead for these difficulties.
- 7. Students use mobile devices to collaborate with other classmates using Twitter, Facebook and other social media apps. Universities use customized apps that aid with studying and participating in large lecture courses. Supplemental material is made available for mobile devices so students can review material anywhere. E-textbooks are generally used with tablets. Many e-textbooks now have study guides and other features. Learning management systems such as Blackboard and Learning Studio have mobile versions to enable students to access content on their mobile devices. Mobile games can be used to assess learning progress and conduct surveys
- 8. Works Cited: Abilene Christian University. “Mobile Learning in the Classroom.” YouTube video clip. 5 May 2010. 27 March 2012. <http://youtu.be/NCQsnt3rDvk> Abilene Christian University. “Thoughts on the state of mobile learning.” YouTube video clip. 1 March 2011 27 March 2012 <http://youtu.be/AQgCXEoTap4> Bottom-Line Performance, Inc. “Lessons on M-Learning.” 2011. PDF File Bracken, Daniel, Michael Reuters. “Lowering the Barriers to Mobile Device Adoption” 3 March 2010. Powerpoint file. Educause. “7 Mobile Apps for Learning.” 2010. PDF file. JISC infoNet . “Moblie Learning info Kit.” n.d. PDF file. Purdue University. “ Hotseat lets students Facebook, Tweet in class to improve learning.“ YouTube video clip. 15 September 2010. 27 March 2012. <http://youtu.be/LTT-MAftkCc> Purdue University. n.d. 27 March 2012. <http://www.itap.purdue.edu/studio//> The Slow-Motion Mobile Campus.” The Chronicle of Higher Education. 8 May 2011. <http://chronicle.com/article/The-Slow-Motion-Mobile-Campus/127380/> Graphics