Mobile+Learning+for+the+Higher+Ed++Learner

World Is Open~ Chapter 10 Summary and Quotes
In this chapter, Bonk explores some of the innovative and new ways teachers are using mobile technology to their advantage.No longer are teachers the only ones in the classroom with access to the latest mobile gadgets as students are now equipped with multiple portable computing devices and mobile phones.//"With mobile devices, the educational event or activity follows the learner, instead of the learner having to arrive at a designated place in which to acquire it." -// Bonk

“Learning has become more personalized and customized 24/7 experience.” Pg.295 Students can now have information at their fingertips through cell phones equipped with unlimited wireless and internet browsers. Because of this student have become more active and creative in their learning process and are learning "on the go".Active students make stronger students as Bonk mentions and these students are more familiar with ways of including different media in their assignments and presentations.

“The i-phone and other smart phones represent a portable learning device that is a key driver for the current learning revolution.” Pg 299. Not only do smart phones have a tremendous upside for learning, they are also tools for communication. The learning does not have to be unidirectional but rather a portal for sharing information and knowledge by receiving and transmitting.

"U-learning takes advantage of the capabilities of mobile and wireless technologies to support a seamless and pervasive connection to learning without explicit awareness of the technologies being relied upon. Simply put, if you are using technology to learn without reflecting on it, you are likely experience u-learning."

"A July 2007 report from the New York Times indicated that there were 230 million Americans with mobile phones. However, just 32 million used them to access and browse the Web."

“In 2008, for instance, the North Carolina Department of public instruction launched project K-Nect, which provided a repository of math and science problems aligned to state standards that students could solve through their mobile devices. With this one decision, student mobile phones came out of their lockers and into the classroom for instruction.” Pg. 303

Learning on the go
media type="youtube" key="Oo7aNI6wTWU" height="349" width="560"

media type="youtube" key="neZYE9gBIuE" height="349" width="560"

Academic Dishonesty/Cheating
Before this proliferation of technology in the classroom, issues like cheating was limited to traditional methods that teachers had become familiar with through their years of experience. Cheating has also evolved with technology as students have discovered new dishonest ways to use the technologies available to them.

These include but are not limited to:

-buying a paper from an internet site -browsing for answers while in class or during a test -shared homework answers via instant messaging -using text messaging to tell someone else the answer -programming answers into calculators -taking pictures of test materials or notes -listening to recordings of lectures or answers via bluetooth during tests -storing answers in ipods and iphones.

The following linked articles discusses this furthe r

How to Cheat in Schools [] Colleges Chase as Cheat Shift to Higher Tech []

Some professors have begun to take charge in addressing these issues as explained in the linked article. []

A feasible solution to this issue is to make sure that students have absolutely no outside internet or technology access during test taking.In the event that the test is on the computer in an internet format precautions should be taken to block any unauthorized web surfing or device usage.One such precaution is turning off wireless router access during examinations.

Creating Balance
"The challenge is one of achieving a balanced and sustainable use of corporate systems designed to pull students into the learning environment, and mobile technology solutions which can push information out to students, so that each adds value to and complements the other." (Armatas and Rice) Creating a synergistic approach to mobile learning is important to capitalizing on the potential. The explosion of mobile technology and the accessibility to smart phones, iPads, iPods, and laptops make them an open source of use. The tricky part of this in the future will be leveraging the easier access to promote their use in learning.

[|As the Web Goes Mobile, Colleges Fail to Keep Up]

A challenge not to be forgotten in using m-learning is the adopting of new techniques, and the hurdles associated with such a venture. In an article titled, [|Mobile Learning and Handheld Devices in the Classroom], two basic requirements must be met to incorporate change. 1. The technology must be pedagogically effective and viewed as an improvement. 2. The technology must be available and accessible.

In Higher Education the challenge of accessibility is easier to overcome. In 2008, [|Abilene Christian University] gave all of their incoming first-year students iPhones or iPod touches. The cost for this venture was rolled in to technology fees so the students funded the project as part of their tuition costs. The technology was integrated into the classroom by professors and while the data is difficult to gather, the response has been positive. This was discussed in The World is Open, but was also a story that garnered national attention in Higher Education in 2009.

Created by Kerra and Brian

Comments: I really liked the first video you had. Something that stood out to me was when they said that technology is a way for teachers to gain and present information, so why not use it so the learners can actively participate. Teachers have been using technology for years and it is certainly time for the students to get their opportunity to use it as well. The video also made a great point that it is a very difficult shift for teachers and support is needed. In the second video, it mentioned that we can essential use mobil technology anywhere and at anytime. It reminded me of when I went to the doctors recenty and the doctor's assistant that was there used his iphone to look up sypmtoms. I was shocked by this and couldn't believe what I was seeing. I guess if the resources are there, why not use them? At least if they are ging to do that at the doctor's office, I'm sure patients would feel more at ease if they did it where we cant see it! :) - Stacy

The first video was encouraging because it did show that some universities are moving forward to not only explore mobile technologies but integrate them into instruction. We have much work to do here at SU to catch up! I am glad to see that you have also address a concern regarding mobile technologies and that is cheating. I would argue that if the assessments were project based then the problem of cheating goes away. I would rather students show me what they have learned through collaborative projects, such as building a wiki, than through a multiple choice test. Nice job. Dr. Royer

Holy Crap! I knew that cheating was a problem, but to think that it has grown to these extents is absolutely crazy! One that really jumped out to me was in one of your articles it said that parents are now paying people to go take the SAT and or ACT for their child and help them get into a more prestigious school and even receive a higher amount of academic money. That is absolutely ridiculous! It even talke about how kids are using their phones and silent ringers to call other classmates in class to get answers to questions on a test and what not. The best way for them to do it seems to be to use their bluetooth headset while making these calls and speak quietly. This is so far above and beyond what cheaters were caught doing when I was in school. It just goes to show you, that even though technology is a great tool; there will always be people who will abuse them for their own gain. Well done on the Wiki! Greg Cathell

I like the idea of turning off the wireless adaptors during tests so students can't access the web, however, I have an iPhone and I don't need a wireless adaptor to get on the Internet. So how would you go about solving that issue with those students? I know I have an elementary mind set, but I think on testing days the professor or high school teacher could have number bins for every student and as they walk in the cell phone could be dropped in the; when they leave the class the students can pick them up then. As for the students who aren't honesty and don't drop their cell phones in the bin for tests, then I think there would have to be established consequences since it would be the classroom policy. Great wiki and very eye opening from a completely different level than the elementary!! - Meredith

I really enjoyed the first video. I thought the student that they interviewed did a really great job explaining why it is imperative for students to learn how to use mobile technology while they are in school. She said that when she collaborates with her classmates on projects through mobile learning it closely resembles the environment she will be working in in the "real world" because globalization is changing the working environment. As far as cheating goes. I know that professors have this program that allows you to scan the a student's paper into a machine at which point it is cross referenced with all the information that exists about that topic to see if any sections are identical to something that has already been written. If a student is willing to cheat on a test in the long run he or she is only hurting themselves. There should still be consequences and teachers should monitor students during class time however the worst consequence for cheating is graduating and realizing that you haven't really learned anything.- Lauren DePaul