Recently I read some articles about mobile learning using Information
and Communications Technology (ICT), and they provided some interesting ways
mobile learning might be used in and out of the classroom. Marc Prensky (quoted
in Wylie) states that the present day pedagogy is not suitable for present day
students because of a lack of ICT, and I believe this to be the case.
The world
around us is becoming increasingly digitalised (Howell, 2012) - 20 years ago, I wouldn't have been able to write this blog - and yet our education system has
stayed much the same (Scardamalia et al 2010). This is an issue, as the
education system should be changing to reflect 21st century ideals
which revolve around the use of technology (Scardamalia et al 2010). Scardamalia
then goes on to say that teachers and the pedagogy they use must also change in
order to properly utilize technology in the classroom, a point I agree with (I would
have used an Interactive Whiteboard like a normal whiteboard before learning of
its interactive functionality). But perhaps by changing the equipment used in
classrooms, the teaching style will adapt naturally. Some effort to integrate
ICT into classrooms has been made, with the Victorian government trialing iPads in high schools (2). The trial found that when using the technology,
students were more engaged with the course content and that it enhanced student
collaboration (an interesting topic in itself). Wylie notes the use of Kindles instead of
heavy textbooks to be an appealing prospect, and I can appreciate the
difference it may make to students lives (I am currently the proud owner of
four weighty textbooks myself). But rather than use a kindle to just read books
digitally as Wylie said, why not get rid of notepads too? With the
implementation of iPads as in some Victorian schools, kids can read the textbook
and make their own notes in the ‘book’ as they go along, without having to
worry about receiving a fine for vandalising school property (if it is loaned)
or reducing the books resale price. Tablet devices like the iPad often feature internet capability, allowing students to use interactive websites on their devices as a way to better engage them. Many things are possible with the use of
tablet devices, like making learning an all the time, any time, familiar experience,
rather than the six hour days currently spent by students where they are
forcefully disconnected from potentially useful social technology due it being a distraction (Wylie). As
a pre-service teacher, the concept of children completing small tasks before
school while they eat breakfast or after school as they travel home or to
extra-curricular activities excites me. Utilizing readily available technology
(83% of teens and 31% of Australian children own mobile phones (1)) to make
learning a constant process is intriguing to say the least, as it might help to
make learning an interesting activity that can occur anywhere, rather than just
in the boring confines of a school classroom.
Mobile Learning Technologies for 21st Century
Classrooms- Jonathan Wylie
NEW ASSESSMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTS FOR KNOWLEDGE BUILDING - Marlene
Scardamalia, John Bransford, Bob Kozma, and Edys Quellmalz - 2010
Teaching With ICT, - Jennifer Howell, Oxford University Press, South Melbourne, Victoria, 2012
Images;
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