Mobile technologies in the Classroom21st Century Learning

What are mobile technologies? Mobile technologies are portable, wireless, and Wi-Fi enabled devices. These devices include cell-phones, laptops, net books etc (Wylie 2010). They enable students to film videos, take pictures, create presentations, take notes or write papers, and upload and share them with their teacher or other students (Eisele-Dyrli 2011).

Need21st Century Learning

• Children more technologically aware.

• Computer labs have a downside -they are inconvenient and not readily available.

Society has developed a microwave mentality—we want it fast and we want it now. This is not just with food but with everything including information and communication (Bogosian 2008). Mobile technologies give us communication and information in real time. They can do everything a desktop computer can do, so with mobile technologies in hand that students already know how to use, teachers do not have to move the entire class to a computer lab for a lesson(Wylie 2010).

21st Century Learning

Early Adopters – Students

• Integrating them more and more into their classroom routines.

Laggards – Teachers and Administators

• Devices cause distractions.• Not enough software

programs for mobile devices.• Need training on how to

incorporate mobile devices into curriculum.

Mobile devices are cheap and powerful forms of technology. Cell phones have potential for “anytime, anywhere” learning potential (Schachter 2009).

Rate of AdoptionRelative advantage• Financial – schools may not have to purchase them because students already have them•Easy storage –smaller so they don’t take up much room or students can carry them in their pocket or book bag.

Compatibility• More reliable than computers

Complexity•Students already know how to use mobile devices.•Teachers may need professional development.

Observability•Students and teachers can collaborate through internet, texting, or instant messaging. •Ability to conduct immediate and ongoing assessment.•Teachers have immediate feedback.

Research• Common Sense Media – surveyed students and parents from 70% of schools around the country

and found that they ban using cell phones during school (Schachter 2009).

• Digital Generation – children have brains that developed differently and process information differently than in the past (Bestwick, Campbell 2010)

• Researchers say - mobile devices improve teaching and student learning because they allow collaboration through the internet, 3G networks, texting, and instant messaging while inside or outside of the school (Bestwick, Campbell 2010)

• Joan Ganz Cooney Foundation Center - studied 25 mobile learning initiatives worldwide

• Project Tomorrow’s annual Speak Up research project for 2010 - surveyed 350,000 students, parents, and administrators from over 5000 schools and over 1200 districts found that high school students access to Smartphone's had tripled since 2006. 62 % of parents would purchase a mobile device for their child for educational purposes and 74% of administrators believe mobile devices can increase student engagement in school and learning (Eisele-Dyrli 2011).

Development

Then – from 1876 to 1970’s

• Deskphone -

• Desktop computer

• Textbook

Now – from 1970’s til now

• Mobile phone

• Laptop

• EBook

Everything has gone from stationary to portable. It used to be that technology was big, bulky, and stationary for homes and offices. Now these same technologies can be taken and used anywhere. They are also accessible by many people due to the fact that they are less expensive (Laureate 2008). This is especially convenient for teaching and learning. Mobile technologies can be easily stored by the teachers or carried from class to class by the student (Wylie 2010).

Commercialization

• Mobile phone companies - companies such as Nextel, AT&T, and Verizon (Schachter 2009).

• Large retailers• Internet - cell phone companies have a reputation for “robust internet service and speedy

resolution of connectivity problems (Schachter 2009).

• Specialty Stores• Teachers and students themselves - most students already

have these devices in their pockets and know how to use them (Bestwick, Campbell 2010).

• Financial – cost effective so schools can afford them (Wylie 2010).