Mobile Devices, Hand-held Computers, PDAs, Laptops, Mobile Phones, Tablet PCs
On this page:
What are they?
Mobile devices are increasingly common and range from the basic mobile phones, to smart phones, handheld computers and PDAs to laptops. The key feature of these tools from a learning perspective is that they can be with the students wherever they are, and they are (nearly) always on. Thus they are especially suitable for delivering learning where the location of a student is a paramount consideration. Depending on the complexity of the tool, mobile devices can be used for communication by simple voice or text messages onto rich media interaction. Whilst transmission modes are perhaps the most obvious use of these tools, as the complexity of the average mobile phone increases more interactive paradigms are increasingly common. The ubiquity of mobile phones among the student population makes these devices increasingly attractive a means of communication with them. See text messaging LINK for more information on this.
Educause have a useful overview of m-learning and mobility. JISC have also produced Innovative Practice with e-Learning: A Good Practice Guide to Embedding Mobile and Wireless Technologies into Everyday Practice.
See also text-messaging.
How can I use them with my students?
Mobile devices can be used in many ways some examples include
- Allow input, manipulation or sharing of data or findings in the field.
- Allow students in the field to access required learning, either in terms of learning resources, instructions or mentoring, just in time. Examples from nursing, hairdressing, engineering.
- Use as a communication tool manage complex group work
- As a multimedia device , play podcasts, view video etc
- Use to deliver assessment in context
Where can I get them?
These tools are so ubiquitous that it is not necessary or possible to list them.
Examples
- Producing learning objects for mobile phones (example from hairdressing) by Stuart Smith , article from ALT online newsletter.
- Design for multimedia mLearningby Claire Bradley, Richard Haynes and Tom Boyle, article from ALT online newsletter.
- Using PDAs with learners - the pros and cons of accessibility. Two articles based on David Sugdens work at Dewsbury College.
- Material developed to support Innovative Practice workshops on Planning and implementing innovative practice with mobile and wireless technologies by Helen Beetham and John Traxler. See especially Three approaches to Modiles and Wireless for useful suggestions.
What else do I need to know?
It is worth noting that many students see these tools as personal (especially phones) and may not welcome them being used in formal learning contexts. Depending on the models and devices used there may be implications in terms of passing on unfair costs to the students.
You cannot control what device your students are using unless you supply it. The complexity of what can be delivered by phone is hampered by the different operating systems and browsers that different phones use. While it is relatively straight forward to develop rich content for a single device it is hard if not impossible to develop materials that will run on any device.
