CEP812 - Mobile Learning

I created a poll using Polleverywhere.com.  I posted my poll on Facebook since I am not currently teaching in the classroom.  Participation was low, but I can see how it would be interesting to use in a classroom setting. 

I also participated in one of the Classroom 2.0 conversations about cell phones in the classroom.  The website seems to have some good ideas and commentaries from many teachers. 

I spent some time looking at the website for iPads/iPods in education.  Admittedly, I am still quite divided on the issue of cell phones in the classroom.  I think they can be a great resource, and at the very same time, a huge distraction.  I think many of us as mature, working adults could admit to having used our cell phones in less than appropriate ways from time to time.  It would be unrealistic to think that by making the cell phone a learning tool all inappropriate use will suddenly disappear because the students are having so much fun learning.

Everything we teach our students in school should be preparing them for life after school.  This is going to require more than playing with a gimmicky new technology.  It will require a lot of thought and dedication to integrating the technology to serve a real and not invented purpose.   It should be the same with any educational tool. 

I spent some time looking at the e-readers.  I am not that old (just 32), but I guess I am “old-school” in many ways.  I like to read books, not computer screens.  When I read a book, I can remember where something is written, the color of ink used to highlight it, what side of the page it is on and how far into the book it is.  I can’t do that with a computer screen and even less so with a teeny tiny cell phone screen.  I like my smartphone, don’t get me wrong, but I’m not going to read any books on it anytime soon.  Of course I can see the advantage to have a plethora of current materials available on an iPad or Kindle.  That certainly would be better than 20-year old World Book Encyclopedias.  

We all learn differently and have different strengths and weaknesses.  Hopefully someday the whole system will change.  Education will hopefully become more individualized and students will be able to help choose what works best for them when it comes to learning.