"The term m-learning or "mobile learning", has different meanings for different communities, that refer to a subset of e-learning, educational technology and distance education, that focuses on learning across contexts and learning with mobile devices. One definition of mobile learning is, "any sort of learning that happens when the learner is not at a fixed, predetermined location, or learning that happens when the learner takes advantage of the learning opportunities offered by mobile technologies." In other words, with the use of mobile devices, learners can learn anywhere and at any time." (Wikipedia, 2013)
Mobile learning allows many interactions between the teacher and student as well as student and student. Whilst many schools opposes mobile learning, it is one of the largest tools the teachers have for enhancing learning. Many parents and teachers would worry about distraction, misuse and other issues if these tools were allowed into a class, but there are solutions to these feared problems. There is software available for teachers that allows them to monitor and view all their students screens on devices such as laptops, and tablets, as well as this there are other software programs such as 'idea flight' which allow a pilot and passenger relationship between teacher and students. As the teachers may have the slides or a PowerPoint open on their page a student can be taking notes on their own individual copy, zoom in and view other sections completely independent of the teacher.
One of the other benefits of mobile learning is the amount of applications available for download on Iphones, androids and windows phones/tablets. For instance in a physics class, sound recording equipment may be short, so students can be encouraged to download software that allows them to record, and analysis sound for reverberation. I underwent that exact scenario in year 12 physics where the reverberation of a room had to be calculated at various points, so with 9 other students and our phones, in one recording we were able to gather the necessary data required, rather than have to repeat the experiment 10 times to get all the date needed.
Some teachers might be uncomfortable with such devices being used in class, and rightly so, it does open the door for students to be distracted, message and email each other, but with simple policies set in place and the devices being school 'controlled', in a sense, there should be no major issues.
The variety of apps out there allow for students to visually and mentally stimulate themselves in the form of games. educational games such as leapster for kids, and math-letics for older children are exceptionally good examples of games that boost a persons thinking and capacity for knowledge. These games can be set as homework by the teacher, students can enjoy and look forward to doing it without the begrudging attitude they give their normal homework. Its essentially like the teacher says 'go and play modern warfare 3 to learn about tactics the army might employ', what teenager is going to refuse (understandably students would have to have access to that game).
The last point I wish to discuss is a more negative one, and this is why I mentioned the device is controlled by the school in a sense, because with this wireless age a new realm has opened up for bullies. Cyberbllying is real and the symptoms are often harder to detect. If every student had a device then there is the chance cyber bullying can happen. It is thus recommended that students would be encouraged to seek the help of a trusted adult if anything is happening in regards to bullying of any sort and that monitoring the wireless communications (ie tracking school emails) may be an option. This may be considered an invasion of privacy but for the safety of the students and schools I believe that it is recommended, especially as even in everyday life we all get spammed with advertising and virus's, and by monitoring the system any 'junk'/misuse can be identified and dealt with..
If you would like to try your hand at mathletics, click on the below link to take you to mathletics.(please keep in mind you will have to register for the free 2week trial)
http://www.mathletics.com.au/ (Mathletics, 2013)
Heres another site that seperates various games by grade, subject, and age. Dont play for too long.
http://www.knowledgeadventure.com/default.aspx (Knowledge Adventure, Inc, 2011)
Have fun!
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