Journal 7

Envisioning the Future of Education, Learning While Mobile. Mark Van ‘T Hooft

This article discusses the uses of mobile learning devices in future education. Mobile learning devices are cell phones, media players and wireless computers. The author examines that learning in the future will be personal, learner-centered, shared, everywhere and on-going. He states the learning is not focused on the learner or the technology, but on the interaction between the two. Mobile learning is social and informal. He states mobile learning focuses on conversation and context. Conversation is the aspect that mobile learning engages students learning in a social environment. While mobile learning in contexts applies to learning in various places, such as fixed and moving from one location to another. The author provides examples of mobile learning activities and discusses the challenges. He recommends schools focus on new skills such as creative thinking, problem solving and working with technologies that expand the student’s thinking ability.

1. Is this type of learning really available to all students? In the author’s list of challenges to mobile learning, the “participation gap” is number one. He acknowledges there is an unequal access not to technology, but to opportunities and experiences for preparation in the tomorrow’s world. He also says students will have ethics challenges and the challenge to be aware of and examine how the media tries to shape their perceptions.

2. How could an educator use mobile learning in the classroom? On of the author’s examples is MyArtSpace, which is a service for children to use mobile phones and personal Web space to provide the links in preparing and learning during and after a field trip.