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Does Mobile Technology Equate with Mobile Learning?

Leonard Low clarifies his thoughts on the definition of 'mobile learning', concentrating more on social factors (ubiquity, ease of use, appropriateness of use in public places, cost) rather than on the device itself. On the one hand, I can see the point - but on the other hand, the definition seems very arbitrary. None of these conditions have anything to do with being mobile (indeed, the definition explicitly excludes mobility as a consideration). And it just happens to favour closed, proprietary platforms that access restricted networks over open or open source platforms that communicate via open protocols on a peer-to-peer or networked basis (in other words - it favours, for no good reason, telephone-like devices over computer-like devices). Leonard Low, Mobile Learning, March 6, 2007. [Link] [Tags: Online Learning, Networks, Open Source, Gaming] [Previous][Next]

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Re: Does Mobile Technology Equate with Mobile Learning?

Anymouse, March 6, 2007

I'm not sure my definition of mobile learning excludes mobility as a consideration: (quote)

"Mobile learning is, after all, about the mobility of learning, and not merely the mobility of technology, which is a different thing altogether...

How we achieve that mobility of learning must consider the context of the learning, and not just the use of mobile technology, if it is to achieve its full potential."

This definition, (which is derived from that of Sharples et al., itself derived from the outcomes of the MobiLearn 2004 Conference), aims to support the idea that merely making a resource available on mobile technology may not actually constitute mobile learning, any more than putting information in a book or on a web page is learning. Attention to *how* the resource will be used - including social context of that use - supports learner *engagement* with the resource, and facilitates active learning.

This definition doesn't favour any particular platform, hardware, or proprietary standard; it favours transparency of technology and ubiquity and ease of access to learning - factors, to my mind, that actually support open standards and encourage learner engagement. [Comment] [Permalink] [Previous][Next]

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