mLearning doesn’t have to be ad hoc learning Rod Gammon Cambridge University Press (NYC) [email protected]
Dec 16, 2014
mLearning doesn’t have to be ad hoc learning
Rod GammonCambridge University Press (NYC)[email protected]
Context
• Balancing response to disruption with maintenance of core value of materials quality
• Want to support learning, not provide one-off gimmicks
What works?
Adapt instruction to individualand small group needs.
• Use formal and informal assessment data to inform academic instruction
• Use one-on-one tutoring if possible; otherwise, break students into small groups
• Provide professional development and ongoing instructional support to all instructors
http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/pdf/practice_guides/ost_pg_072109.pdf
SmartFun
• Nielsen: 66% of homes with Nintendo or Sony handhelds have iOS
March 2012, http://www.electronista.com/articles/12/03/09/nielsen.shows.apple.infiltrating.gaming/
• In 70% of tablet households with kids, kids use it
http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/online_mobile/ american-families-see-tablets-as-playmate-teacher-and-babysitter/
All edu developers should consider
Learner: When, where will they engage?
Knowledge: What is the focus and purpose?
Assessment: How will performance be observed?
Community: How will it impact the class context?
(Adapted from US DOE papers)
Learner
What are the opportunities?• Pre-class prep• In-class activities• Dedicated study and assignments• Self-directed study• Unexpected free time
What is the student’s day like?
Knowledge
Where is the learner in the study lifecycle?• Pre-enrollment• Enrolled• Certification• Performance support
Curriculum + the student’s relationship to it
Assessment
What is the learner’s progress towards their learning purpose?• Time on task• Type of content• Engagement• Performance
Assessment as a prompt for engagement
Community: Educational contextsStudent:Teacher
Person:Technology
Example technologies
Classroom *:1 *:1 Interactive whiteboard, projected PC screen
Media lab *:1 1:1 Desktop PCs, audio recordings, netbooks/tablets
Personal study 1:0 1:1 Mobile phone, netbook
Group study, in-person
*:0 1:2…n Paper and pencil to latest consumer tech
Group 2.0 *:* 1:1 Social network spaces, tablets, local device networks, clickers
mLearning naturally fits with good teaching strategies
And these strategies are more important, because attention can be easily diverted
Levels of coordination with course
• Branding matches (meh)• Content is coordinated (good)• Pedagogy is adapted to device/context
(better)• Persistent student identity across contexts
(best)
All four together are ideal.
Coming things
• http://dictionary.cambridge.org/api.html (July 2012)
• Interactive tablet eBooks• Olympics app• Analytics everywhere