Mobile Learning

This is my personal list of ten of the most useful, free software applications you can use to design and deliver mobile learning. It does not cover social mobile web apps, which will be the subject of a future post, or applications developed specifically for mobile learning, which will also be covered in the next two weeks or so.

• NoteM audio recorder for Windows Mobile PDAs: unlike the standard audio recorder provided in Windows Mobile (in Notes), which records to WAV file format, NoteM records to MP3 format. This saves an enormous amount of storage space, and enables the recording of complete lectures or podcasts, rather than merely brief notes. It is also much more configurable than the standard Windows Mobile audio recorder.
• iTube video downloader for iPods/PDAs/mobile phones: iTube videos range considerably in educational video, but it is still a superb resource of video content. Unfortunately, the Flash Video format used to package UTube videos isn’t really playable on anything, particularly not mobile devices. iTube allows users to download YouTube videos in MPEG and MP4 formats – the formet of which plays on most PDAs, and the latter of which plays on iPods and many mobile phones. Playability of video content on PDAs is considerably assisted by the following application. (previous blog post)
• TCPMP video player for Windows Mobile PDAs: The Core Pocket Media Player (TCPMP) supports many more codecs than the standard Windows Mobile Media Player, making it much easier to download and use video content for mobile learning. It also has some excellent capabilities beyond what the standard player can achieve, such as stretched full-screen playing of videos, making videos both easier and more enjoyable to watch on a PDA. Another one to try out is SOMPY Media Player.
• Opera Mobile web browser for J2ME (Java) Mobile phones: Usable on most mobile phones and some PDAs, Opera Mobile is the best mobile web browser I’ve ever used on any mobile platform. If you’re deploying mobile web content, encourage your users to try Opera Mobile. (previous blog post). PDA users might prefer Minimo, the PDA version of the Firefox browser with many features in common such as tabbed browsing.
• ADB Idea Library allows the user to create and organise pictures, sounds, text – and other files – into collections. Great for getting learners to assemble their own ideas and demonstrate the construction of knowledge.
• CERDISP screen sharing for Windows Mobile PDAs: the Windows CE Remote Display application enables you to put a copy of your PDA screen on a computer monitor or light projector to share it with other users. It includes a zoom tool for making the screen more visible, and uses your PDA’s standard computer cable and ActiveSync connection to do this most useful of tasks. (previous blog post)
• XSForms/XSDesigner for Windows Mobile PDAs: allows creation of mobile databases, complete with user forms to make it easy to both add and search data. Enables students or teachers to remotely log data for research or learning purposes, and can be customised to synchronise with a desktop PC Access database. (previous blog post) Another database program to try is HotWax.
• BUZZeeBee (formerly ProximityMail) for Windows Mobile PDAs: allows spontaneous, ad-hoc creation of wirelessly connected, proximal messaging groups, using free Bluetooth technology. I haven’t tried out the new BUZZeeBee version of the software yet, but the wireless, group-based text communication and sharing enabled by this product has many uses in education. (mentioned in this previous blog post)
• SmartFlash Flash player for Windows Mobile PDAs: a much more flexible and powerful player than the standard Adobe Flash Player. Plays Flash files without needing to embed them in a web page, as they must for the standard Flash player.
• PaintWinCE for Windows Mobile PDAs: not everyone’s a fan of doing things in text, or even audio. For learners with a visual learning preference, consider using Mobile Pencil – which turns a PDA in to a portable sketchpad/notepad – just draw with the stylus. Complete with a number of different pencil effects and colours to make it easier to communicate graphically, using a PDA. Similar applications include Pencil Box and Mobile Pencil.

Other useful PDA applications I couldn’t fit into my top 10:

• Magic SS, a screen capture tool for PDAs,
• Pocket Multi-Owner Hack, to enable up to 4 users to have their own profiles within a single PDA
• XNView, a multi-format image browser and basic image editor,
  
• LittleTimetable or PocketTimeTable to record class timetables on a PDA,
  
• Splashblog, which has a fantastic mobile interface to enable moblogging,
• Pocketfeed, which allows you to sync RSS feeds to take with you to read on your PDA, with OPML support,
• HP Mobile Printing, to print files from your PDA directly to a wireless printer.
• YanceyWare Reader for creating and reading large hyperlinked e-books,
• Flite text-to-speech engine
• Pocket AniEd, to create animations on your PDA.
• PocketTADS, to create text adventures,
• PocketDict english dictionary
• PocketExam for designing and delivering quizzes on Windows Mobile PDAs
• PocketPDF, to create PDF files on your PDA, and
• a multilingual text file reader
• PC-Cillin for Wireless antivirus program.
• Software developers can use PocketZeus to write, debug.comile and run custom applications on their PDA.

Finally, while it isn’t really mobile software, but rather runs on a PC, Levelator makes the process of creating podcasts (for playback on pocket media players, PDAs and even mobile phones) so much easier it deserves a mention. Dropping an audio file on the application creates an output audio file with the volume optimised for playback, without having to fiddle with levels in Audacity. (previous blog post)

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technorati tags:pda, software, m-learning, mobilelearning, mobile-learning, mlearning, mobile learning, mobile phone, cellphone, programs, program

Repost of posting to EdNa forums, with other commentary here. A summary of previous theorisings on this model, here and here, supplemented with diagrams.

We can classify mobile learning activities using an activity-based model of the “Four R’s of Mobile Learning”.

In a reflection of the “Three R’s” of the essential pre-Net Generation skills (Reading, wRiting, and aRithmetic), the “Four R’s” of Net Generation learning reflect the current sociocultural shifts in thinking and learning for an increasingly mobile twenty-first century. Defined from a learner-centric viewpoint, these are:

Record : The learner as a gatherer and “builder” of new knowledge

• The learner may use a portable device to capture, preserve, memorise, note, or create information.
• The information recorded may be in response to a prompt from the portable device itself; or in response to a stimulus from a situated learning environment or their teacher.
• The information may be recorded to the portable device itself; or the portable device could serve as a conduit for storing the information remotely.
• Underpinned by a Constructivist theory of learning

Reinterpret: The learner as an analyst of existing data to discover new knowledge

• The learner may use the portable device to discover, process or enhance existing data so that it is transformed into new information, or “remixed” to enhance learning. In these conditions, the mobile device enhances or supplements the learner’s own senses or processing abilities.
• Underpinned by a Constructivist theory of learning

Recall: The learner as a user of existing information and resources

• The learner may use a portable device to recall information, events, experiences or stories, stored on the portable device (e.g. iPod recording), or by using the device to access information remotely (e.g.on the internet).
• Underpinned by a Connectivist/Instructionist theory of learning

Relate: The learner as part of a social context and a network of knowledge

• The learner may use a portable device to communicate with other people; for example, with other learners, or with a teacher (i.e. in a learning relationship).
• The learner can use the device to communicate directly and synchronously (e.g. mobile phone conversation), or access asynchronous communication services (e.g. web discussion board or weblog).
• They can also recommend and share resources, for example, linking mobile devices (usually wirelessly) and sending a file from one to the other.
• Communicative and collaborative: underpinned by a Social Constructivist theory of learning

Related activities include Mobile Assessment (self, formative and summative assessment), and Teaching and Learning Support (tools to help teachers and learners, such as mobile gradebooks, rollbooks, etc.)

Mobile Learning Ideas

Record : The learner as a gatherer and builder of new knowledge

• Moblogging: (Remote Record) using a mobile device to record audio, video, or (most commonly) images and save them to the web in a reverse-chronological format with text annotations.
• http://moblog.co.uk/blog/mobilelearning example
• Social aspects of blogs – other learners/teacher can access and comment
• Done on PDA or Phone
• Database/Form Entry: (Local Record) inputting data into a mobile device that can later be reviewed or assessed. Example applications include:
• Dance moves database demonstration – uses XSForms by Grandasoft (freeware)
• Recipe database
• List of vocabulary/glossary
• Database of procedures
• Generally done on a PDA

• Recording media: learners can record audio and video to devices like mobile phones, audio players, and PDAs. Example applications include:

• Recording a class or lecture for later review as an mp3 file NoteM demonstration
• Recording a mock “interview” or interaction for review or assessment
• Recording a video (e.g. “Changing a Tyre”)
• Done on PDA, Phone, audio device, digital camera
• Journal Using Calendar: If an online blog is not appropriate, Outlook Calendar can be used to diarise and record events, class notes, assessment deadlines, and more.
• Why? Because this is what PDAs were originally designed for, they perform these functions well.
• May also be possible (though less convenient) on some mobile phones.
• Freehand Drawing: Ability to quickly sketch drawings, diagrams, and jot notes could be useful on PDAs. MobilePencil is a good product for this.

Recall: The learner as a user of existing information and resources

• Accessing a local Learning Object: I’m using a very broad definition of “Learning Object” – includes learning video or audio file, a learning interaction such as a Flash activity, even a document. Some examples:
• Podcast/Vodcast: an audio or video file stored for later viewing/listening – TEDTalks and Motorbike Tips for New Riders examples
• Flash-based learning activity – New Practices in Flexible Learning examples
• Accessing a remote Learning Object: as above,
  but not stored on the mobile device itself, but at another location in
  “cyberspace” – a network server, a PC, or the Internet.
• Text content pages on WinkSite – Project management example at http://winksite.com/guideto/projman

• Accessing an RSS feed: what’s awesome about mobile RSS aggregators is that they allow “real time” updates of information to a mobile device.
• Mobile Web Search: Google mobile is an example – provides mobile web search from a connected mobile phone or PDA
• SMS-based information service: these require a bit of preparation. A service is set up by a commercial provider that enables a student to send a text to a number, which then returns some information. For example:
• a student sends an SMS with the word “impasto” to 131234
  (example only). They then receive a dictionary definition of the term
  back via SMS.

Relate: The learner as part of a social context and a network of knowledge

• Ad-hoc networking: Programs such as “Proximity Mail” enable PDAs within Bluetooth range (approx 10 metres) to form an ad-hoc networks allowing instant messaging. Other products also allow file exchange, and operate on the longer-distance (100m) 802.11b wireless protocol. Examples of use:
• Learners engaged in local text-based chat in a quiet environment e.g. art gallery, lecture
• Learners share learning materials and resources in real time,
  as they discover them in their browsers or write down their own
  learning experiences
• Instant Messaging: the preferred communication
  channel of the Net Generation. IM types include SMS/MMS between mobile
  phones, MSN Messenger (installed in Pocket PCs), and other IM products
  can be installed which operate over wireless Internet (802.11a/b/g).
  One of the most comprehensive is Agile Messenger, which supports five of the most commonly used IM clients on Pocket PCs: Yahoo, ICQ, MSN, AOL and XMPP.
• Voice Chat: most commonly implemented in mobile
  phones, but also possible to accomplish from a PDA with a suitable
  Messaging Client installed. Some include “Press To Talk” functionality
  that allows PDAs connected to wireless internet to operate like Walkie
  Talkies.
• Mobile Blogging:
• Winksite demo (text), Moblog.UK
  demo (moblog)
  
• Mobile Discussion: Asynchronous communication tool. Truly Flexible Mobile Learning – anywhere, anytime participation.
• Winksite demo
• Mobile Chat: Synchronous communication tool. Text-based group chat, allows group interaction using mobile phones (Winksite)/PDAs (ProximityMail)
• Winksite demo
• Mobile Wikis: Collaboration tool.
• No free implementations (yet), but some well-documented reasons why these are/will be a Very Good Thing for learners.

Reinterpret: The learner as an analyst of existing data to discover new knowledge

• Location-specific (potentially, situated) learning: PDA used as a processing tool to provide contextual information to learner. GPS, 2D-Barcodes, RFID tags connected with learning materials.
• Data mining: searching a mobile database for trends and patterns in data
• 2D Barcodes: a “bridge” between print/screen and mobile devices.
• A QR Code could be a link to whole range of resources. Instead of a studentcopying down homework tasks, they can simply capture the information, or a linkto it, with a camera snap. When they get home, they gain access to, say, adel.icio.us (or mobilicio.us) page, wheretheir resources are assembled. Some of the resources might even be mobilethemselves, such as resources developed in mobileprep – a mobile phone flashcard creator.
• This example links to a Wikipedia page on the video game Grand Theft Auto.With a click of their camera button, the user gets access to the information directly on their mobile device:
• 

technorati tags:4rs, mobilelearning, m-learning, mobile-learning, pda, model, pedagogy, 2dbarcode, qrcode, recall, relate, record, reinterpret

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