Abilene Christian University will be exploring the use of mobile technology in the classroom on a grand scale not currently scene on most college campuses. In 2007, educators and administrators developed a case study ("Convergence and the 21st-Century Classroom") to demonstrate why the current system needed updating and discussed the benefits that would be obtained from the use of mLearning on campus.
They decided to implement their mLearning program with the incoming freshman for the 2008 school year where each will receive an iPhone or iPod. ACU developed a fictional video "Connected - The Movie" to portray how the university envisions using mobile technology on campus. I found the video interesting. It shows how mobile technology could potentially be used in the classroom and is described as a student's campus "life line". Students will be able to view a map of the campus while using GPS technology to track their location. Students will also be able to view course calendars, class availabilities, download class content, receive mobile alerts, and view a list of campus events and activities. As an adult educator, I found it concerning that the students portrayed in the beginning of the video seem more fascinated with listening to MP3s, watching videos, and making phone calls. As one student put it when he found out he would be receiving an iPhone, "I can check my email. I can watch YouTube. Are you kidding me? Internet on my phone? I'm pumped!" There was no mention of the educational benefits by the fictional students. I guess after this program has been implemented and the results of its effects on campus life evaluated will we know its effect, what challenges were encountered, and what improvements if any must be made to make it even more effective.
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3 comments:
OK...I had to agree with the student...receiving a free iPhone would be cool. But I think it shows why this could be such a great venue to expand educational environments. It is a tool that so many students already use/know about. Half the battle of engaging students is getting them interested in interacting with the classroom materials wherever the venue may be. Thanks for the links and info.
KB
I think that showing students the educational applications of the items that they use everyday for entertainment may actually increase their utility. I hope that students will choose to use the technology in this project in the way it was intended instead of just goof off.
Bridget,
I was actually talking with a professor at my local college about this a few days ago. He participated in some research years ago with one of the professors participating in this mLearning. The professor shared that he actually conducts all his lectures with a video camera in the back of the room, that captures the presentation and then it is downloaded to a podcast. He says that it seems to improve student responses and test scores because they are able to go back and review the podcast of the lecture as they feel the need. He also said that it has reduced the number of students who actually show up to class, to a point where he would prefer just to record the podcast and not mess with class time.
I recently did a webinar through the Discovery Education Network... That is the way to go! Students can interact with the professors, you have full screen capture and can actually see what the professor is doing on his computer while sitting at your own computer. You can utilize webcams to get the face to face interaction and through telephone or internet with a microphone, you can still communicate and ask questions. I am anxious to try this for myself.
Elizabeth
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