Mobile Learning Lab

Mobile learning can be very effective. I tried looking at the Poll Everywhere tool. It is actually pretty amazing. Below are some of the screenshots of the poll I created and results I received.

From the articles I am reading as well as what I am able to observe in my classroom, it is evident that mobile technology does come with many, many advantages. Using it as a survey poll can really be beneficial. I can use it to survey for ideas, student reflections on how effective they thought a specific lesson or activity was, a pop quiz (non-graded),  “as a digital or video camera to accompany school projects, publishing, etc.”, and as a way to educate students on acceptable and appropriate social use. I will probably start gradually and slowly because it is a new territory for me. In fact, our high school is offering an elective course called Mobile Applications. In order to keep up with the technology of the world today and to benefit most from what we have in front of us, it is not a matter or choice but of necessity to integrate mobile technology in our classrooms.

Despite the many advantages and positive learning enhancements associated with mobile learning, there are many challenges lying ahead. The first being the “fairness aspect.” If we were to really incorporate mobile learning in the classroom, we will have to ensure that all students have the same opportunity at success. What I am trying to say here is that with the various brands, models, and applications of mobile phones today, it is difficult for all students to work with a “common denominator”. The other challenge is basic classroom management, whether it is during the class lesson our outside the classroom. This would mean keeping students accountable for completing the “mobile assignment” on time and giving out consequences if they are not able to do so. This could be really tricky and complicated, as well as time consuming. The exciting aspect would be that once the applications are set up, and I have become familiar with it, it should get somewhat easier. I am also hopeful that as using mobile applications becomes a classroom routine, it would be much simpler for me as well as out students. The main goal, then, would be to see how mobile technology can actually improve student learning.