Mobile learning

I have been reading a lot lately about mobile learning in the tetiary context. It is clear that m-learning is still in it's infancy and that there are a number of factors from technical through to pedagogical that make it tricky. Having said that it is really interesting to note future trends as predicted by the Horizon Report and the ACRL (Association of College and Research Libraries) . Both documents note the potential of m-learning and see a growing place for it in education. There is no doubt that there are innovators out there offering new ways of using the mobile phone in particular. In time, both the physical limitations of the phone and other factors such as teacher reticence will be overcome and the mobile phone will join the suite of other technologies available for teaching and learning.

I tried to upload this YouTube video on M-learning that I thought provided an interesting overview, but for some reason beyond me, it would not upload. Anyway here is the link to it - enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XU0cVNZDG4

My first reading

I have just finished reading Holems and Garner's article - the first of the course for me. I think it is worth recording a number of things of interest that "occurred" to me while I was reading this (and some of this is just by association).

Firstly, I wonder about "online access to learning resources, anywhere, anytime." Obviously that is an ideal but we are far from that yet - I know that infrastructure alone plays a huge part - what if you live in rural NZ and can only access dial-up (if that?) How about ethic minorities? Some sectors of NZ society have little access to a computer for a start, and very little comprehension of the basic how tos of computers.

Secondly, I very much liked the idea of communal constructivism - that circular movement of teaching and learning that will in time blur the relationships (and power strucutres) between teachers and learners.

Some other ideas that the article sparked in me as I was reading it were:

• how will mobile devices affect learning?


• in the tertiary context what is the likely impact of electronic books? Its relatively known for electronic journals, but books are a bit different.


• the creation of digital content will be open to everyone - look at the fanatstic "Living Heritage" project available for schools and students in NZ to record their own histories and issues


• what impact will gaming scenarios, such as Second Life, have on teaching and learning in an academic environment?

Maybe with a bit of luck, I may be able to investigate some of these fascinating topics over the next few weeks.