Using Mobile Devices as Learning Tools

Overview

Mobile devices, although widespread, were still underused for educational purposes. The project explored the potential to improve the learning experience by using mobile devices to increase student engagement. The outcomes of the project could have been used to supplement an existing online course, as well as be applied to learning environments where ownership of mobile devices is higher than ownership of internet-connected computers. Giving everyone access to education and opportunities to attain credentials was our top priority.

This project aimed to increase student participation in any online course by allowing students to access the material in the way that was convenient and best for their learning. It did not suggest to develop a new course, but to offer a potential for improvement of any online learning experience.

Goals

The goals of this project were to:

  1. Investigate how mobile technologies influenced the ways students participated and interacted in formal and informal learning environments, as well as how mobile devices could be used as a tool to enhance the learning experience. This included a literature review and an environmental scan;
  2. Apply the best pedagogical practices to identified courses and other learning opportunities with documented student feedback; and
  3. Produce professional learning materials containing best practices and procedural manual, as well as offer practical workshops.

in order to reach

  • Those who were disadvantaged by insufficient access to high-speed internet, such as Aboriginal learners; and
  • Those whose nature of professional engagement was suited more towards mobile technology than office-based environments, such as emergency personnel and police officers.

Deliverables

The final products of the project was a set of templates, accompanied by manuals and practical workshops, which would help educational institutions move towards utilizing devices that were already in everyone’s pocket.  This was especially important in rural and remote areas where internet connection was still a challenge. The open education resources (uploaded in BCcampus repository SOL*R) were:

  • Literature review
  • Environmental scan
  • Instructional design solutions: case studies (e.g. assignments, activities and content samples) that allowed for increased student participation by using mobile devices;
  • Online (archived) and face-to-face (slides and handouts) workshops demonstrating how to integrate mobile device into the learning environment; and
  • Text and video based documentation on the process and results.

Literature Review

Using Mobile Devices as Learning Resources for Alternative Models of Teaching and Learning: Literature Review by Jenny Arntzen

Using Mobile Devices as Learning Resources for Alternative Models of Teaching and Learning: Bibliography by Jenny Arntzen

Mobile Technology – Case Studies – by Kirsten Starcher

Mobile Technology – Environmental Scan by Kirsten Starcher

Case Studies:

Survey on the use of mobile devices conducted at UBC with Teacher Candidates and Faculty Advisors in the Teacher Education Program: Final report

EventLunch and Learn Poster_s

Lunch ‘n Learn: Mobile Devices was a one-hour event, a demonstration of the potentials of mobile technologies. The presenters were: Cindy Underhill: visual Notetaking; Joe Zerdin and Kyle Gailling: Snap’n’Know appls, Emily Renoe: ePub, Brian Wilson: Augmented Reality and Lucas Write: QR codes. (poster) The visitors had the opportunity to play the scavenger hunt using their mobile devices and win an iPod shuffle. The Scavinger hunt was organized by Brian Wilson – Zack Lee, using foursquare and SCVNGR. Support by Sharon Hu and Ian Linkletter from EPLT.

Special thanks to the Centre for Teaching, Learning & Technology (CTLT) for their support.

Project Team

Project Management

Natasha Boskic, Educational Technology Manager, EPLT

Partner

Rob Bowled, Specialist, Credentials and Applied Research, School of Health Sciences, Justice Institute of British Columbia

Collaboration

Mark R. T. Dale, University of Northern BC

Laura Cooper, College of the Rockies,

Langara College

Environmental Scan and Media Development

Kirsten Starcher

Graduate Research Assistant

Jenny Arntzen, Graduate student, UBC

Instructional Design

Sharon Hu, EPLT

User Support Specialist

Ian Linkletter, EPLT

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