Teacher’s Quick Guide
Get started with mobile learning tomorrow
Cheri MacLeod
Background What is mobile learning? Mobile learning is learning supported through the use of portable devices to: • access information, • interact with people and materials, • seek guidance, and • demonstrate learning. Within the classroom, mobile learning gives instructors and learners increased flexibility and new opportunities for interaction and collaboration. Mobile learning also enables learning beyond classroom borders. (Adapted from Educause, 2014 and Wexler et al., 2008)
Why bother with mobile learning? • It supports learning and increases access to materials, learning experiences and opportunities. • It increases engagement and motivation. Many learners expect and want to use technology and feel it is important to their future. • It develops thinking, learning and professional skills needed in the workplace and for lifelong learning. • It provides teachers more options when choosing or designing activities and experiences.
Introduction Who is this guide for? This guide is for teachers of adults and teens. Having said that, many of the ideas can easily be used as is or adapted for younger learners.
Who am I? I am an educator and teacher trainer with over 25 years of successful experiences in four countries. Read more about me on LinkedIn.
Why did I write this Quick Guide? I have been teaching and providing teacher training and support for over 25 years. During this time teachers have often asked me for practical and effective ideas that they can use right away. So, I wrote this.
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Contents 1. Top Educational Uses
4. Agreement Lesson -15 Minutes
2. Preparation Tips
5. Classroom Management Tips
3. Choose a Classroom Model
6. Increase Engagement
1 Top Educational Uses
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Use mobile tools purposefully to support learning, productivity and engagement.
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Without real value the novelty factor will prove short-lived.
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Top Uses 1. Engagement: audience response polls & review games with 100 percent participation, can be anonymous 2. Communication: group texting, group projects, cooperative learning
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Homework: answer questions on phone, review notes when on the go Research: search for information online, text information and messages to classmates or experts Organization: calendar, alarm, reminders, calculator, notes Visual: use cameras or video tool to create content Variety: use audio, video, images, online simulations, apps and digital tools
Source: Neilson, L. & Webb, W. (2011). Teaching Generation Text. Using Cell Phones to Enhance Learning. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
2 Preparation Tips Preparation for change is important for you and for your students. Setting expectations and the tone makes a big difference and is similar to having a good start to a term or course. Check • policies at your institution. In some cases you may have to get permission or limit use to outside the classroom. • Wi-Fi and Internet capacity in class and at home • what devices are available (institutional/students own)
Tips 1. Model professional uses in class. 2. Ask learners how they might use a mobile device for learning inside and outside of class. 3. Ask learners • • •
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if they agree to do a ‘trial’ who uses the same kinds of devices who feels they can help others if there are issues
Set a date to trial a simple activity (e.g. using the Internet to check facts or find a video on a course topic, audio recording how to say new terms).
3 Choose a Classroom Model Deciding on a classroom model that suits you, your learners and your context is essential. Consider this goal: to support learning without adding too much distraction. Choosing ‘a model’ sets expectations and eliminates later issues. First, clarify your ideas. Next, use the sample ‘agreement lesson’ on the next page to get learner input. Communicate the model clearly once decided.
Popular Models 1.
Ready to use
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Guided
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Devices are kept face down on desks until instructor requests use Devices are left in pockets or bags until instructor requests use
Local use only
OK to use anything ‘on’ the device but no Internet access or printing – may be due to local limitations
Personal goals
Learners are free to use devices for learning purposes at any time – requires maturity
Outside class only
For homework and assignment completion
Models 1-4 are explained well by Jen LaMaster here.
4 Agreement Lesson -15 min. When learners have a say in developing an agreement about how mobile devices will be used they will be: • empowered learners • better aware of safe, legal and ethical behaviour in a digital world • more motivated and committed to a successful experience than if rules are imposed Lesson Outline 1. Give an example of unprofessional use of a smartphone at work.
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Ask learners to share ideas about appropriate and ‘professional’ use of mobiles in the classroom. Write ideas on the board or a flip chart. Add any important ideas you think were missed. Vote or ask for agreement. Ask everyone to take a photo of the agreement with their mobile to keep. Post a copy of the agreement on the course website or class wall. If issues arise – refer back to the class agreement. View a detailed lesson plan.
5 Classroom Management Tips Classroom management makes a big difference in how much time learners spend ‘on task’. Research shows more time on task = more learning. Tips 1. Use the ideas in this document on choosing a classroom model and making a classroom agreement to set expectations. 2. Give learners time to get used to the idea. Be flexible and expect a few hiccups at first.
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Keep learners involved and focused. Watch out for ‘down time’ when people reach out for a distraction. Move around the room so you can see who is on task and what they are doing. Gently bring those back who get off task (e.g. Please join us…we are.../ What have you found so far?). Remember that tech is not always the best choice… know when to put it away. Use, and acknowledge, learner suggestions and ideas for activities and resources. More from Indiana Jenn.
6 Increase Engagement Fun review games and formative assessments generate high energy and engagement. Learners can respond using smartphones, tablets or laptops. Free Online Tools Prepare a quiz using a free online tool. Ask learners to complete the quiz using their mobile device. •
Kahoot Exciting features (music, scoring) make this a big hit with learners of all ages.
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Socrative Use the individual option or try ‘Space Race’ for teams.
Free Messaging Tools Create review questions and share these one at a time Ask learners (individually or in teams) to send you the answer using a free online tool or messaging app. Give the first right answer a point. • TodaysMeet (online) • Remind (app) • WhatsApp (app) New tools become available often. Free Technology for Teachers is an excellent source of information.
Resources for busy teachers • Mobile and Blended Learning which includes • Managing Mobiles • Classroom Ideas • Tech Tools • Quick Guide: Get started with mobile learning tomorrow • Links (to more resources) • Quick Guide: 10 ideas you can use tomorrow to promote active learning
Images
All images are CC no attribution from Pixabay.com