Mobile Learning Technology
For this weeks’
assignment 1 we had to investigate the different mobile technologies available
and chose 2 that we think could
enhance adult learning.
What is
mobile learning? According to Park
(2011) mobile learning (M-learning) refers to the use of handheld, portable and
wireless devices that students can use when they are on the go. M-Learning allows them to have access
24/7. As we know mobile technology is
playing a big part in the lives of many people (students, professors, business
people, etc.). There
is a large rang of devices that one can chose from such as smartphones,
laptops, tablets, and e-book readers and much more. All these devices connect users to the real
world instantly, by accessing information and enabling interactivity with
others.
The 2 devices I
want to focus on for this assignment is the smartphone and tablet (Samsung). I
chose Samsung because that is what I personally prefer to use, as we know there
are many name brands out there. I prefer
Samsung over Iphone because they are cheaper, most application on say the
Galaxy (Google play) are free and on the Iphone (iTunes) you have to pay for
each application, androids voice assistant types as you talk, works offline, as
well can be activated hands-free, google maps is easy to use, I love there
organizing apps, they let you put important ones on home screen and hide less
important ones, there widgets are great, key board is much easier to use and
understand, for example punctuation on the same screen as letters, and much
more. Iphone to me are more about style and appearance than performance. Androids phones in general have more
customization, with emulators, widgets, custom ROM, etc. We all have our preference, we need to use
the one we feel most comfortable with.
Many would say that
smartphones and tables are the same, but really they are not. They each have their own function. Tablets are portable, while smartphones are
pocketable; tablets are mostly used for say in ones living room, while smartphone
can be used within the home, and also on the go. Mobile phones are more personal and tablets
can often be shared more likely than ones phone (Etter, 2015).
Why I think
smartphones (whether it is a Samsung or Iphone) should be use, plain and simple
everyone now a days owns one. I doubt
anyone would forget this devices as home, like their textbooks. Smartphones go where ever you go, information
is available 24/7. Many adult learners own smartphones, and in fact a lot of
low-income areas around the country, smartphones is the only internet-enabled
device they ever used (like the Dominican Republic).
Smartphones allows
students to go beyond 4 walls of learning, learning can happen from anywhere,
in a car, on a bus, at a park, and in one living room. A student can take notes, transfer them to a
laptop or share them online with a study group.
Students have instant access to many websites for questions that need to
be answered, for a video assignment students can record films using a
smartphone and send them to a computer for editing, access to e-mail, discussion
boards, assignments 24/7, access to discussion boards, assignments, great for keep track of schedules and
dates.
Tablets are personal mobile computers which have a
camera, microphone, speakers, and a touchscreen. Tablets are a little bigger than smartphones,
they used to be used primarily as entertainment, but no matter what tablet you
use, Samsung, Ipad, etc., they all enhance students’ technology skills and
provide opportunities to reinforce and enhance classroom learning. Student can
access information quickly whole doing research, great for educational games, the
future of e-book (easy to read on tablet than smartphone). Adults who are new to technology, the use of
tablets helps them cross over to technology. Tablets are the best way to show
textbook (e-book), they enhance e-book featuring imagines, video and audio;
they fit both students and teachers lifestyles.
They are thin, lightweight, have longer battery life, they fit with
current educational technology trends, student can work from anywhere and anytime;
tablets save paper and keep notes organized in one place and much more. The way I would incorporate both smartphones
and tablets into my teaching is by encouraging my students to check e-mails,
discussion, assignments on a regular basis.
Smartphones use to collaborate and communicate – for my adults learning
a second language, I would have them record a real life scenario (order food in
a restaurant) and have peer review and assess them; I would allow student to video
or audio record my assignment instructions; I would establish a Facebook
account for the course, where students can ask for questions as well as share
their class assignments and reminders, students can use google translate to
break down language barriers.
Use
smartphones and tablets to use dictionary and thesaurus apps, as well as google
play to get the following apps for learning English: (1) Learn English,
ESL, TOEFL- This ESL app offers
flashcards and a phrasebook that includes pictures, text, and correct audio
pronunciation. Lessons can be tailored to all needs and levels of learning,
including adults, children, beginners, and advanced; (2) Learn English - contains
over 800 commonly-used English phrases and vocabularies for travelers and
beginners. Using this app, you can learn from our English speaking parrot. The
parrot works together with you to practice your speaking and listening skills,
wherever and whenever you are; (3) ESL Podcast - unofficial -
This app is not only a great study tool for those studying English as a
second language, but also for those hoping to better understand culture. The
app offers educational American culture, famous people or songs, and other
interesting information; (4) ESL Cafe Podcast - This popular English as a
Second Language Podcast offers lessons that can be downloaded right to a user’s
mobile device and played on the go. Users have access to a huge library of ESL
resources and once accessed, the podcasts can easily be played without access
to the internet (Masters ESL, 2015).
Proper
planning, implementation and professional development is needed in order for
the success of mobile devices in the classroom.
References
eCycle Best (2015).
Smartphones as Tools for Education: Getting Smart with Smartphones. Retrieved from https://www.ecyclebest.com/resources/smartphones-as-tools-for-education
Park,
Y. (2011). A pedagogical framework for mobile learning: Categorizing
educational applications of mobile technologies into four types. International
Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 12(2), 78–102. Retrieved
from the Walden Library databases.
Etter, S. (2015) Smartphones vs. Tablets: Forrester
Reveals the Differences. Retrieved from http://www.monetate.com/blog/smartphones-vs-tablets-forrester-reveals-the-differences/
Masters ESL (2015).
The Essential Guide to Apps for Learning English as a Second
Language. Retrieved from http://mastersinesl.com/essential-esl-app-guide/ http://mastersinesl.com/essential-esl-app-guide/ http://mastersinesl.com/essential-esl-app-guide/
Webjunction (OCLC) (2015). Tablets and Apps: A World of Possibility. Retrieved from http://www.webjunction.org/news/webjunction/Tablets_Apps_World_of_Possibility.html
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