The value of mobile technology in teaching and learning;

In this society mobile technology is everywhere and growing fast; it has becomes hard to ignore the benefit of which it brings to teaching and learning. There have been many studies over the year and are still being run today, on the value of mobile technology in the education system. The role of the learner is changing fast and facilitators need to keep up; by adopting the modern world into the class environment, we can engage on different levels. Although there are always pitfalls with this radical teaching method, it is down to the facilitator to assess the way in which it is received. There are many studies on the effects of mobile learning and the actual advantage it gives the learner. ‘The Social & Mobile Learning Experiences of Students Using Mobile E-books’ journal (Kissinger, 2013, p. 153) is a fascinating study in to e-book learning within college students. Looking at multiple theories of cognitive behavior they stated:

Six conclusions were drawn from the study:

(1) Students expressed competence in their use of the mobile-books,

(2) Students expressed feelings of high self-efficacy when using the mobile e-books, (3) Students valued the use of the mobile e-books for their learning,

(4) Students were individualized and metacognitive in their learning with the mobile e-books,

(5) Students enhanced their learning socially and within situated learning opportunities, and

(6) The students and the instructor had divergent views on the value and utility of social, interactive textbooks. (Kissinger, 2013, p. 153)

This shows that facilitators must still be the guide throughout transition; without this leader the commodity would be inadequate and the importance would be lost.
   
The biggest value for me in terms of Mobile Learning is the versatility of it; take a look at these two projects The Ambient Wood and EnvironmentalDetectives, excellent ideas to encourage learners to work together but on a multi-sensory level and both approaching it in different way. There is also the Tate Modern using mobile technology it improve the gallery experience and take it to a new level. This is just skimming the surface of what is possible and it is just the beginning, with technology expediential growth rate who knows what the next five years will bring.

Works Cited

Kissinger, J. S., 2013. The Social & Mobile Learning Experiences of Students Using Mobile E-books. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 17(1), pp. 153-170.

Bibliography

Arcade, M. T. E. P. i. a. w. T. E., 2003. Environmental Detectives. [Online]
Available at: http://education.mit.edu/ar/ed.html
[Accessed 29 November 2014].

Kissinger, J. S., 2013. The Social & Mobile Learning Experiences of Students Using Mobile E-books. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 17(1), pp. 153-170.

Learning, E. w. p. o. P. a., 2003. Ambient Wood. [Online]
Available at: http://www.hcibook.com/e3/text/casestudy/ambient-wood/
[Accessed 01 December 2014].