Learning with Handheld Technologies Handbook January 5, 2007
Posted by Leonard Low in Pedagogy, Standards.add a comment
Futurelab, a non-profit U.K. based organisation, who previously published one of the best literature reviews of mobile learning, have now published a handbook of recommendations for mobile learning approaches - including implementation ideas and case studies.
Tony Vincent of the Learning in Hand blog cited the key reccomendations of the report, based on two years of research from the University of Bristol:
- There should be an authentic purpose with clear learning goals.
- It is harder and takes more time to manage a small set of devices than it is to manage models of use where each learner “owns” the device.
- Professional development is very important. A collaborative community of practice that involves the whole school will help embed handheld technologies in the curriculum.
- Wireless internet connectivity is preferred because it makes the devices much more useful.
- Schools need to figure out long term storage of students’ data as they will produce so much work it won’t all fit on the devices.
- Spare devices should be on-hand for quick replacement of broken units.
- Teaching styles must accommodate personal ownership of learning.
- Successful projects used handhelds for accessing content and for producing projects.
- Adoption of handhelds goes smoothly when integrated with with existing technologies like interactive whiteboards, software, and data projectors.
The findings and recommendations of the report are well researched and though out, and align with the latest thinking in mobile learning.
This is essential reading for educators considering implementing mobile learning approaches in schools, as well as those already involved with mobile learning Europe has done more research into mobile learning than the rest of the world combined, through projects such as MobiLearn, worth about 15 million Euro (AU$40 million) over the last few years, and Futurelab has done a great deal to help share expertise throughout Europe and the rest of the world.
An HTML version of the guide can be viewed here; a PDF can be downloaded here; or you can even request a free hard copy of the 35 page report.
technorati tags:mlearning, m-learning, mobilelearning, mobile-learning, mobile learning, futurelab, handheld, pedagogy, teaching, learning, education, clcommunity, networkedlearning
USB Rechargable AA Batteries January 5, 2007
Posted by Leonard Low in Products.add a comment
Many mobile digital devices for mobile learning, such as digital cameras or recorders, require battery power, and to date there haven’t been too many options aside from carrying a supply of replacement batteries or else a recharger cable or cradle - all of which make for extra bulk and weight.
Here’s a great new innovation in cell technology: AA batteries that can be recharged without a seperate recharging cradle. Just plug them into a USB port to renew their charge, and keep on working. I reckon I’ll get a couple of these for my wireless computer mice and keyboards, which are always around a USB port anyway. 
(via Gizmodo)
technorati tags:mlearning, m-learning, mobile learning, mobile=learning, mobilelearning, batteries, AA, rechargable, power
Prototype Miniature Digital Projector for Mobile Devices January 5, 2007
Posted by Leonard Low in Mobile Phone, PDA, Products, Technical.add a comment
I’ve told many people about industry moves towards developing minature LED projectors that will enable mobile phones and PDAs to project large(r) screens to assist viewability and interaction. At CES next week, Microvision will be unveiling their prototype of such a device (pictured below).
Such a device will help to break the limitations of small screens by enabling larger, higher resolution images to be projected from mobile phones onto any flat surface. Initially, I anticipate that the biggest application for this will be mobile gaming, just as games have pushed the limits of desktop computing; but the benefits will spread to other applications as well.
(via Gizmodo)
technorati tags:mlearning, m-learning, mobile learning, mobilelearning, mobile-learning, projector, LED, digital
