[DAY 1] What, When, Where and How…?
What, when, where and how are you doing m-learning now?
I use my mobile device, in particular my iPhone, mostly for web browsing, social networking, emailing, and posting and modifying WordPress posts. Three Math classes I’m currently teaching have a class blog. Whenever there are things I need to modify, I use the WorPress app on my iPhone. Also, whenever my students leave comments on the blog, I can reply anytime and anywhere I want. I sometimes go on to YouTube and search YouTube video lessons that I can use for my classes.
On Sundays, the Bible app helps me a lot. It has a notes section as well so that I can jot down my pastor’s sermon and share with my church friends at a meeting.
I’ve also added the ETEC 522 blog as a favourite to my iPhone so that I can have easy access to it. Although due to the size of the screen, it’s a little more difficult to read, make posts, and leave comments than the PC, it’s very convenient and portable as I spend most of my day outside.
Deb
Posted in: Week 11: Mobiles
David William Price 11:43 am on November 18, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Wow, it seems you’re quite mobile. You say “I spend most of my day outside”…. that’s quite different from a majority of our posters who spend most of their time at a desk with a computer.
It sounds like the convenience of your mobile lets you keep up with work through the student blogs. How many of them use mobiles to post questions or do other learning activities?
Sounds like the Bible app serves as a performance support… and you can “share” your mobile in your meetings by having it guide discussions. Very cool!
How might you integrate a more mobile-supported learning model (being out of the classroom and roaming) with your students? Math is everywhere… how might it be made an authentic experience?
Deb Kim 3:02 pm on November 18, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi David,
I also spend half of my day at a desk with a computer as I’m a teacher. But considering that it’s usually 9 or 10pm when I arrive home due to other work and activities I do, my iPhone is always in my hand.
I don’t know if my students use mobiles to post questions/comments, but emails I receive from them are sent from their mobiles quite many times.
You raised a great question at the end, but I haven’t come up with good ways/methods to integrate a more mobile-supported learning model, especially for math. I personally think that Math is one of the most difficult subjects to teach when it comes around technology. Most of the apps that I see target young children so you can only acquire basic math skills. I think more apps targeting high school students should be developed in order to help students maintain their attention span.
Deb
David William Price 9:03 pm on November 18, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I remember what exciting me most about calculus was the real-world applications for it… I could calculate the terminal velocity of a penny dropped off the CN Tower. ok, that does sound a bit weird and that doesn’t excite me 20 years later, but math problems are always about real world issues… and I think mobiles are a potential way of scaffolding people through recognizing, confronting, re-enacting, and experiencing those problems and their implications.