With the arrival of the 21st century saw the introduction of advanced social technologies; Iphones, Ipads, smart phones, tablets and popular social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Myspace. Not only do these technologies enable people today to be connected and communicate in ways previously thought impossible, but they have a direct influence upon education. Yes, even teachers are being impacted too, with pedagogical tools such as smart boards, digital projection screens, design challenges and electronic grade books changing the ways in which educators teach and do business! "As mobile devices are becoming increasingly ubiquitous, many researchers and practitioners have incorporated the technology into their teaching and learning environments" (The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 2011, pp 1).
As a teenager growing up in this technological world, my previous understanding of Mobile Learning included transporting my laptop from class to class, or using my mobile phone (sadly not an Iphone) to search the Internet. While these are most definitely aspects of Mobile Learning, it was not until I entered 4001EDN and regularly partook in the tutorial workshops surrounding this subject, did I gain a theoretical and practical understanding of this educational technology. As such, it became my belief that Mobile Learning referred to the use of mobile or wireless devices for the extreme purpose of engaging in learning whilst on the move. This personal belief was formulated through listening to the weekly presentations on this subject, taking detailed notes and then researching further into Mobile Learning to conceptualise its educational relevance in terms of TPACK and Bloom's Revised Digital Taxonomy.
On a personal note, the culmination of my extended knowledge in regards to Mobile Learning occurred during the Week 4 workshop, through the presentation on appropriate apps for classroom use. I enjoyed this presentation so much that I went home and searched for the website, Ipads for Education, which was explained in terms of its educational benefits and possible classroom implementation within the workshop. Through exploring this website, I came across an application; Storykit (Apple Inc, 2012) that resonated with me, as it could be extremely useful to implement within my Practical Experience classroom, as students have Ipads for academic use. In terms of Literacy, my Year 3 class is focusing on developing and writing stories and Storykit could be integrated to encourage positive ICT usage in developing these stories. Storykit is an educational app that enables the user of an Ipad or Iphone to create an electronic storybook, with students able to take pictures, type text and record their voices (Apple Inc, 2012).
(Apple Inc, 2012)
The TPACK framework was utilised to analyse and describe how Storykit could be implemented within a classroom as a digital pedagogy to enhance students learning with ICT:
T (Technology): Educational App-"Storykit"
P (Pedagogy): could be implemented using the following pedagogies:
- Constructivism: students creating their own new understanding of the technology and ICT
- Cognitivism: focusing on how students process and use the technology to develop their individual stories
- English: as a means of developing and creating a digital storybook, using language conventions and promoting the use of spelling and vocabulary
- ICT: to encourage students to develop an awareness and understanding of technology applications
C (Context):
- "mobility enables ubiquitous learning in formal and informal settings by decreasing the dependence on fixed locations for work and study" (The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 2011, pp 12).
- enables all students to have access to a variety of digital devices that enhance learning experiences
(Koehler)
To further consolidate my understanding of Mobile Learning as an educational tool, I turned to Bloom's Digital Taxonomy to identify where the technology of Storykit would best be suitable.
(Churches, 2009)
It is my distinct understanding that Mobile Learning is the harbinger of the future of learning and as a future teacher, will need to be extensively understood to be used and implemented appropriately within a classroom.
Reference List:
Apple Inc. (2012). Storykit. Retrieved 22nd April, 2012 from http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/storykit/id329374595?mt=8
Churches, A. (2009). Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy. Retrieved 16 March, 2012, from http://edorigami.wikispaces.com/file/view/bloom%27s+Digital+taxonomy+v3.01.pdf
Koehler, M. (n.d.). TPACK- Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge.
Retrieved 1 March, 2012, from http://www.tpck.org/
The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning. (2011). A Pedagogical Framework for Mobile Learning: Categorizing Educational Applications of Mobile Technologies into Four Types. Retrieved 17th April, 2012 from
http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/791/1699
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