Project-based Possibilities in Mobile Learning Environments Sandy - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Project-based Possibilities in Mobile Learning Environments Sandy Wagner Associate Professor Defense Language Institute CALL-IS Academic Session April 8, 2016 1

Agenda Define mobile learning and mobile learning environments Show support for Project-based Learning Review a Case Study - or two 2

Disclaimer The views, opinions, and /or findings contained in this presentation are those of the author and should not be construed as an official Department of the Army position, policy, or decision, or as views of the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center. All material displayed within this presentation is for educational purposes only. The content of this presentation is the sole responsibility of Sandy Wagner 3

Is it just the devices and the learning environments? 4

The Devices 1 973 Motorola DynaTAC https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/201 4/09/09/the-history-of-the-mobile-phone/ 5

The learning Environments "mobility" factor 6

How would you define mobile or m-learning? Think about what Mobile Learning text me means to you. Text at words that come to (831) mind when you 652-1724 think about learning in a mobile environment 7

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Early definitions It's about the device Learning methods and materials that involve the use of mobile phones or handheld computers -Macmillan Dictionary e-Learning through mobile computational devices : Palms, Windows.... even your digital cell phone (Quinn, 2000) 9

Evolving and Expanding Definitions More than devices and apps The use of mobile devices as personal tools to help people learn wherever they go , through formal training or informal support and conversation. Utilizing the expanded capabilities of mobile devices to promote best pedagogical practices and learning 1 0

Any type of learning that takes place in learning environments and spaces that take into account the mobility of technology, mobility of learners, and mobility of learning (El-Hussein & Cronje, 2010) 1 1

On "mobility" Mobility of technology • mobile by design - available to be carried around • mobile by mode of delivery (wireless) • portable and easy to access "Mobile devices used to deliver higher education content and instruction can also function as audio-players, media- players, and digital cameras." (El- Hussein&Cronje, 2010) Source: "Defining Mobile Learning in the Higher Education Landscape", 1 2 http://ifets.info/journals/13_3/3.pdf

On "mobility" I suddenly remembered I needed to transfer monies to Mobility of learners my son. (BoA app) • instant access to information anywhere • models familiar and more ubiquitous modes of communication (send a text rather than call) • learner engagement and control "Overall advantages provided by mobile learning are...more flexible, accessible and personalized learning activities that keep the learner engaged in the ongoing learning activities and enhance their productivity and effectiveness." (Ting, 2005) 1 3

On "mobility" Mobility of learning • Just in time, just enough, just for me • Contextual and situated • Anytime and everywhere • Learning over time - synthesis of experiences • Supports collaboration, communication, authenticity, autonomy, reflection, creativity, critical thinking, real- world interactions "Mobile learning is at the intersection of mobile computing and e-learning, providing accessible resources wherever you are, strong search capabilities, rich interaction, powerful support for effective learing and performance-based assessment." (Ally, 2005) 1 4

In other words, learning using mobile devices in mobile environments that is bendable, blendable and transcendable 1 5

Bendable supports pedagogical and best practices authentic Learner- project-based task-based materials / centered/ learning contexts learner voice higher-order active/networ situated critical experiential ked learning learning thinking communicative collaboration creation curation learning styles / self-directed individualized constructivism learner skills "Pedagogy, not technology, must lead." 1 6

Blendable "...mobile learning can work, reaching places that other learning cannot; it is best provided as part of a blend of learning activities; it offers a collection of pieces to be fitted to a learning need.....can be used for learning through creativity, collaboration, and communication." (m-Learning project, 2005) 1 7

Blendable Blended Learning Environments - face-to- face, synchronous, asynchronous (classroom learning with learning in alternate locations) Blended skills (integration) for language learning Blended learning - formal and informal contexts Blended learning and leisure - "geocaching" treasure hunts to learn about geography, history, archaeology 1 8

Blended Course for English Proficiency Enhancement 1 9

Transcendable "A broader consequence of (the MOBIlearn project) was a shift in focus from learning with handheld devices towards support for the mobility of learning." (Kukulska-Hulme, Sharples, et.al., 2011) "Another outcome was to develop a theory of learning for the mobile age that explores the system of learning enabled by mobility of people and technology and identifies specific aspects of mobile learning.." (Sharples, Taylor & Vavoula, 2007) 20

Transcendable Offers functions and applications to teach and learn in innovative ways (more than just an online document repository) Expands learning to new contexts incorporating enhanced functionalities and opportunities for learning Changes focus away from the tech and towards enabled social practice nature of knowledge and discourse extends education outside of classroom into everyday life personalised and ubiquitous access to learning anytime/anywhere new language/idioms for written communications (4=for) Book behind PDF on a glas s tablet 21

Textese / SMSish How R NP U? 22

Transcending role of the teacher It's a very ancient saying, But a true and honest thought, That if you become a teacher, By your pupils you'll be taught ("Getting to Know You", The King and I) Teacher role is as important as ever * Guide to knowledge acquisition and tech expert and relevant resources * Partner in the learning process - a mindset of "useful ignorance", exploring and learning alongside learners (http://edutalkstory.blogspot.com * Be flexible, supportive and engaged 23

Support for PBL 24

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Role of Technology (Mobile) "Technology is not here to make us lazy or to avoid basic communication skills, but it is here to make us think critically, solve problems, collaborate, communicate, create, and ideate." The Invisible iPad: It's Not About the Device (Cohen, 2014) 26

Some End Products 27

USA in My Pocket National Institute for Literacy Initiative, Equipped for the Future Project-Based Activities,2002-2003) Definition of PBL A collaborative approach to teaching in which learners are placed in situations where they use authentic language to accomplish whatever is needed to complete the project objectives Best projects have a meaning outside the classroom 28

Mobile support for meeting goals of PBL Project-bas ed Learning Mobile S upport I dentify a project, problem or brainstorm, research, discuss topic to research Create an end product as a presentation, infographic, solution publication, video, quest, app authentic materials, RS S feeds, S ignificant Content multiple resources of information document sharing, discussion Collaboration boards Critical Thinking Bloom's taxonomy of apps Discussions, blogs (writing or Reflection speaking source) 29

Identify Problem, Product or Topic Learners share ideas with each other through open- ended conversation or discussion Brainstorm Communicate/ Collaborate 3 0

How do we come up with the idea? 3 1

Create / Publish an end product Presentation Infographic Publication Video 3 2

How do we create an end product? 3 3

Significant and Authentic Content Learners decide what information is needed and search and discover accordingly RSS Feeds QR Code Scanner Authentic Content Search/Curate/Or ganize Content 3 4

How do we get content for the book? 3 5

21st Century Skills - Critical Thinking Source: http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2014/05/new-handy-chart-on-ipad-blooms-taxonomy.html 3 6

Publish the end product View 3 7

Important to Remember Pedagogy Pedagogy, not technology, must lead Apply mobile appropriately - get the most out of what the technology has to offer to provide purposeful learning Overcome obstacles * teacher buy in, training, and the development of device awareness * student frustration using mobile for learning * limited bandwidth and unreliable electricity and firewalls * using new tech to teach in the same old ways * match use to effective pedagogical practice * fossilized in e-learning practices - Internet Yahoo vs. App 3 8

Bend Blend Transcend 3 9

Sandy Wagner Associate Professor Defense Language Institute sandra.wagner@dliflc.edu 40