Journal 7

Envisioning the Future of Education: Learning While Mobile
Learning & Leading with Technology – March/April 2008

In this article, Mark Van ‘t Hooft, discusses the possibilities as well as the challenges of learning while mobile. Not only does the concept of learning while mobile include the mobility of technology, but also it looks at the constant mobility of knowledge across different contexts. The article describes three examples of how learning while mobile is being practiced. First, in MyArtSpace, students use mobile phones to gather and post data from field trips to three museums in the United Kingdom. In frequency 1550, students go on a GPS guided scavenger hunt for relics from the 1550’s. And, the Natural Museum of Natural Science in Taiwan allows you set a personal itinerary on their website prior to you visit. Visitors are also given a context aware handheld system that delivers content based on your location. The author also describes the challenges of participation, transparency, ethics, and fear. He recommends that schools spend more time on new literacies that are associated with the use of mobile and connected technologies.
How would I balance the teaching of new technologies with the standard literacies and competencies?
In addition to setting some time aside to guide students in technology available in the classroom, I would incorporate a sort of dual learning program. I would ask that children seek out new technologies and write about them as they would write about a current event.
What is the best way to teach the mobility of learning to those that do not have access to a lot of technology?
Again, having students read and write about new technology is a great way to expose them to it. It can help them understand the concepts of what is available and is in development. Showing live demonstrations in class or through media like Youtube. Even though the students may not have access to the latest and greatest technology, increasing their knowledge about it will help them feel more connected and give them additional confidence.