Mobile Environments for Learning

Mobile Devices for Learning

The mobile revolution is here. More and more schools are moving toward mobile learning in the classroom as a way to take advantage of a new wave of electronic devices that offer portability and ease of use on a budget. Netbooks, iPads, cell phones, iPods, e-readers and even PDAs are increasingly becoming the tools of choice for today's educators, and it is easy to see why.

Mobile learning technologies offer teachers and students a more flexible approach to learning. Computer labs are great, but do your students use technology in the classroom, in the school garden, in the study hall, in the gym, and on field trips? With mobile learning devices, you can do all this, and more.

The research that has been done on the use of mobile apps like these has been very promising. For example, a recent study funded by the Department of Education, looked at the link between learning, and the PBS Kids educational gaming app, Martha Speaks Dog Party. The study found that after children had used the app every day for two weeks, the vocabulary of Title 1 children between three and seven years old improved by as much as 31 percent. Studies like this help to confirm the academic potential that mobile learning devices can have to enrich the learning process for students. They are versatile, motivating, and active learning tools. Students with learning differences benefit greatly from mobile learning, as such opportunities allow them to feel more like their peers, and foster a sense of normalcy. One example of mobile technology for children with special needs is Proloquo2go, an assistive technology app available on iTunes. Students with autism spectrum disorder, and others who may have difficulty speaking, can use the app's library of symbols and text-to-speech conversion to communicate easily and naturally with others. This type of assistive app helps broaden students' horizons both in and out of the classroom.

iPod Touch

One device many educators are already using in their classrooms with great results is the iPod Touch.  This mobile device from Apple combines wireless Internet connectivity with the company's iPod music player functionality. The iPod touch shares many similarities with the Apple iPhone, with two major differences – the iPod touch lacks the iPhone's mobile phone capabilities, and it's significantly slimmer than the iPhone as a result. Instructors are using iPods to support second language learners, address the needs of diverse learners, motivate struggling readers, as well as to support their own professional development.  And, because the iPod is mobile, administrators, teachers and students can learn where and when they want. 

IPod Touch makes it possible to deliver large quantities of content to students in an efficient manner.  Using iPods in the classroom can also assist in helping learners master content standards.  Audiobooks can be readily used with iPod.  The iPod Touch with its built-in WIFI students can access the Internet, take notes, keep track of their calendars communicate via email, blog, and track expenses or access a scientific calculator.  They can also access hundreds of educational applications in the iTunes App Store as well as other sites.  Many educational institutions are discovering the power of giving all students access to an iPod Touch and are seeing how having mobile devices literally at students’ finger tips transform teaching and learning.

The Netbook 

Another very popular option is netbooks. These light, portable computers have the ability to run a huge number of free websites, and are increasingly cost-effective. A netbook is a small, light, low-power notebook computer that has less processing power than a full-sized laptop but is still suitable for word processing, running a Web browser and connecting wirelessly to the Internet. 

Netbooks fall into a category of what vendors refer to as “small form” computers. Such computers have been known by various names, including subnotebook, ultra-portable, mini-notebook, mini-thin client, cloudbook and ultra-mobile PC. The generic name netbook, however, is currently the most popular marketing buzzword. Typically, a netbook will have a slimmed-down operating system, a smaller-than-usual keyboard, a smaller-than-usual screen and very little (if any) storage space. Technology commentator Ross Rubin argued that "Netbooks never got any respect”. While Steve Jobs rebuked the netbook at the iPad's introduction, the iPad owes a bit of debt to the little laptops. The netbook demonstrated the potential of an inexpensive, portable second computing device, with a screen size of about 10 inches. 

There are many interesting ways to incorporate netbooks into your lessons and projects. Netbooks can be used to add differentiation.  One of the most efficient ways to use netbooks is to first ensure your students have access to email, so you can email the assignment to them at the appropriate time.  This way, your students can refer to their email as often as needed, while practicing their technology skills. You can also:

*Have your students to create animations, slideshows, or videos to add to a science fair    project.
*For group projects, have your students use Google Docs to practice their collaboration skills.

*Use the netbooks to collect scientific data. USB-powered digital microscopes are great for the classroom because many students can participate at the same time.

 

References

Ø  http://www.apple.com/ipod-touch/

Ø  https://c21cl.pbworks.com/w/page/29939544/Integrating%20iPod%20Touch%20in%20the%20Classroom

Ø  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netbook

Ø  http://news.cnet.com/what-is-a-netbook-computer/

Ø  http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3754742