Mobile Technology in the Classroom

With the proliferation of mobile devices, there is also great potential to use mobile technologies to enhance learning whether by mobile phone, a PDA, iPod with video, or combination of these. Now Google, YouTube and text messaging are all done with mobile devices, freeing up students to anytime, anywhere learning. In higher education, incorporating mobile devices for online and hybrid course formats has the potential to introduce new paradigms of learning and to expand opportunities for university learning.

I made a dramatic discovery in the fall of 2007 when I asked education students in an online course on instructional design to develop a podcast of a demonstration – a technique, process or procedure, starting with something they really understood. The assignment counted as a performance assessment.

I can only say that the results were amazing. One podcast was authored by an artist who demonstrated a technique in art (she used video), sequencing the process from start to finish (it reminded me of a cooking demonstration on TV), with another person who acted as the novice student, asking questions and getting feedback. This enactment was better evidence of best practice than a written test!

I was fortunate to have the technical support of our college’s media support team who provided a podcast website for the course and helped students upload their work.

Liz Haslam