• The idea of mobile learning• The tools for mobile learning• The mobile learners• The global mobile learning landscape• The implication and potential of mobile

learning

“Education is the goal, learning is the means. A lot of learning can happen without teaching.”-Nicholas Negroponte,Chairman Emeritus, Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) Media Lab

• Mobile Learning = Ubiquitous learning = Learning on the Go! = “…an exciting form of learning that uses mobile technologies to enhance the learning experience.”

• u-Learning : The use of technology (mobile techonologies, WiFi Internet access, mobile devices) to learn without reflecting on it.

• Characteristics of Mobile Learning (among others):– Learner-centered– Gap-filler materials (not necessarily formal

learning materials)– Greater learners’ autonomy– Young(er)– Learning is personalized and customized

• Chumby – Fun + mobile internet device; streams newsfeeds, weather reports, short language course

• iPhone – 3-in-1 mobile device : phone, media player and internet surfing device, represents a convergence of technology

• Live Scribe – Digital Pen + Digital Notepad + Laptop/PC dock + Internet = Portable Thoughts!

• ChumbyWebcam feeds of lectures?Informational videos?

• iPhoneQuick guides?Dictionary?

• Live ScribeSharing of lecture notes?Sharing of lecture audio?

INTERNET AIDED LEARNING

ON-THE-GO, JUST-IN-TIME LEARNING

PORTABLE THOUGHTS

• 21st Century Learners = Multitaskers Personified

• Access is KING• Perpetually online• Shared online social space• I-want-it-NOW!

• 3.3 billion people have mobile phones, the number will potentially hit 4 billion by 2010

• In IBM, employees download more than 4.5 million podcasts to keep up-to-date and get cutting edge knowledge.

• In Korea, more than 90% of households are already connected to cheap, broadband internet

• We are increasingly relying on digital info, storage and access

In Japan• Cyber University of Japan

– Free courses offered via streaming videos, PowerPoint slides, text info, audio files

In Korea

• Portable Multimedia Players– Can broadcast TV programmes

from the Korean Educational Broadcasting System

In Latin America

• Pocket School– Grammar and spelling lessons

stored in customised MP3 players

In Africa• Digital Education

Enhancement Project (DEEP)– Illustrated e-books installed

in handheld devices for rural primary teachers

• The creation of learning environments where learning is going on 24/7 for anybody seeking it

• Greater need for digital learning skills or competency Searching/Googling/Identifying authority Networking/Facebooking/Ninging

• Participation vs Consumption Participation does not necessarily translates to

consumption, vice versa (lurkers in the midst?)

• Addressing collaborative learning Mobile devices are mostly solitary devices – the

connection (to the internet) makes it a gateway to collaboration

• How to effectively chunk information? Bite-size info Still relevant and useful Digestion rate

• Engaging content Bigger audience – what’s the common lowest

denominator?