ETEC 565 HJD e-portfolio

Learning on the highway

Mobility and movement are markers of the current world reality. My weekend was one of mobility and movement so it was an excellent time to test and learn about m-learning technologies.

My first task, to get into the UBC MET course on WebCT was accomplished without any difficulty. I was able to read, respond and post without any challenges. Once I reached the part of my journey where wireless cell service was a little less stable, I experienced dropped pages and error messages. That’s when I began to wonder about cell service to remote parts of the world. This is the issue, as well as WIFI service, that will change the availability of m-learning for people around the globe. If my service to a fairly populated area of Ontario wasn’t stable, what about remote regions of the province or country. M-learning is not an option for those areas yet.

My second task was to try my various mobile tools – laptop, iPad, iphone. Since I am able to access wireless cell service through my phone by tethering my laptop to access the internet while travelling, it was fairly easy to access both WebCT and Moodle to complete work online. The load time was not as fast as my home location, but it was manageable. Again, the challenge occurred as a result of pockets of weak and unstable signal strength. My efforts to post to this blog using my iphone and ipad were a success. I was not able to upload an image but was able to insert an image from the media library.

I reviewed some of the links available through the Educause article and discovered a wealth of resources relating to the topic of mobile learning. I had not been aware of the difference between e-learning and m-learning.  I also discovered that some of the effective web site design techniques applicable to accessibility are also effective for mobile learning needs.

Wagner (2005) reported that catalysts for mobile learning include:

1. growth of wireless networks, availability of wireless services, prevalence of wireless devices
2. consumer demand for wireless service that is accessible, reliable, flexible, interactive, efficient and secure
3. demand for access anywhere and anytime

These catalysts are ever more present in the area of educational technology in current times. This is one area that will receive more of my attention as I move through the MET program.

References

Highway image retrieved July 13, 2011 from http://4freephotos.com/index.php Photo #a6bc277281bb299072624118fbf3370f

Wagner, Ellen D. (2005)  Enabling Mobile Learning. Educause Review Volume 40, No. 3, May/June 2005, p. 40-53 Retrieved July 16, 2011 from

http://www.educause.edu/EDUCAUSE+Review/EDUCAUSEReviewMagazineVolume40/EnablingMobileLearning/157976