Stephen Downes
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Debate about Roger Schank's Prediction for 2010
Discussion of Roger Schank's prediction of the demise of the mobile phone for learning in 2010. He writes, "E-learning will not happen, at least not seriously, on mobile phones. Why not? Because it takes time to learn something." He argues that "staring at mobile phone for an hour makes my eyes hurt." There's that, but I would add, on a mobile phone, time is money - sometimes big money. I think he is essentially right, but let me add some subtext and subtlty to the discussion. Learning is often done through reading and creating, which are typically done on large surfaces in a stationary environment. Narrowing our focus and trying to work on a phone-sized screen will not likely ever be as effective. But for audio and even video, a device like the iPod Touch works really well. Learning can be supported through audio and video, which means the phone can play a role. But this role is limited in two major ways: first, it's mostly passive, as we watch or listen; and second, it's slower, because audio and video are linear and flow at a static rate (though I really like the 'speed-up feature' on the Touch). Lisa Neal Gualtieri, eLearn Magazine, January 21, 2010 8:47 a.m.. [Link] [Tags: Apple Inc., Audio, Video] [Previous][Next]Comments
Re: Debate about Roger Schank's Prediction for 2010
I think the focus here is wrong. I think eLearning on mobile will be HUGE, but the focus will be on babies and young children. The newer, simple touch interfaces mean that a baby or toddler can get a quick lesson on how to count or whatever in the buggy in the checkout line at the grocery store while Mom pays. This distracts the child from the "gimme's" and at the same time the lesson will be forming synapses that will lead to increased skill when the child reaches school age. [Comment]
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Re: Debate about Roger Schank's Prediction for 2010
In medicine, busy residents use mobile devices for quick information updates, so we are planning a series of 15-20 minute modules at their request. Learning doesn't have to be in the traditional 1 hour format. Discussion boards for more thoughtful posts will be included. I'm surprised that Roger Schank is so traditional in his view of learning. [Comment]
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Re: Debate about Roger Schank's Prediction for 2010
I'm now developing iPhone app. I've found that the majority of people over 50 thought the text was to small and this will never happen. I've had at least 10 people say that. Whereas people my age, are say thats cool, let me play with that.
I think because the younger generation are digital natives, used to smaller devices and have those devices they are more apt to learning on those devices, than say someone that is 50+. [Comment]
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Re: Debate about Roger Schank's Prediction for 2010
Just-in-time Learning? My Continuing Ed Dept has lots of short "How-To"s that could be accessed from a mobile device precisely when needed (tnickel@alliant.edu) [Comment]
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Re: Debate about Roger Schank's Prediction for 2010
Just-in-time Learning? My Continuing Ed Dept has lots of short "How-To"s that could be accessed from a mobile device precisely when needed (tnickel@alliant.edu) [Comment]
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augmented learning, ubiquitous learning... mobile content is active content
When I read Robert Schanks comment on mobile learning, I just shrugged my shoulders thinking he was from the old era. The reason why is that the mobile phone is no longer a passive instrument, and as such it is becoming much more equipped for learning.
The phone is used in many occasions to deepen understanding: augmented reality enables people to really take an in-depth look at their surroundings (mobile phone, connected with gps to get more information on where they stand). This information can be related to some sort of wikipedia (wikitude: http://www.wikitude.org/ ), but it can also be used to roll out a comprehensive history of certain symbols (e.g. architectural details, in which era they originated and how they evolved through the ages), these application can be used to learn architecture during field trips for instance.
Learning is about context, so using augmented reality (which is enabled by mobile phones, will increase comprehension and retention and extrapolation possibilities of the facts that are shown and can be used to build knowledge.
Reducing learning by phone to manuals that have to be read is just as obsolete as those people who thought eLearning was: putting manuals online.
Just-in-time learning and continued education are indeed great applications for mobiles. The interaction that is possible between mobiles and web-based applications also offers ubiquitous (everywhere, anytime) learning possibilities. [Comment]
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Re: Debate about Roger Schank's Prediction for 2010
Totally agree with http://ignatia.myopenid.com! Well put.
Stephen, you are usually on the money with this, but I think people are actively creating with phones now. The Animoto app for video, all the social games, the huge number of creation tools, and now the location-based games such as Foursquare are supporting our learning. [Comment]
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Re: Debate about Roger Schank's Prediction for 2010
Totally agree with http://ignatia.myopenid.com! Well put.
Stephen, you are usually on the money with this, but I think people are actively creating with phones now. The Animoto app for video, all the social games, the huge number of creation tools, and now the location-based games such as Foursquare are supporting our learning. [Comment]
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Re: Debate about Roger Schank's Prediction for 2010
I suppose that we all need to wait until next week when Apple is expected to announce another mobile device, this one a bit larger at 10" diagonal screen size. Some are claiming that this device will "redefine print" and just about everything else.
As to the passivity of handheld devices, I disagree. We are already seeing audio, still image and even video podcasts originating from iPhones and iPod touches. Blogging, twittering and IMing are all there too.
Granted, there are two main issues that need to be resolved better than now in mLearning. They are 1) text entry and 2) ubiquitous, affordable and speedy networking for mLearning. I am hoping that Apple will have some pleasant surprises for us in these two problem areas in next week's announcement.
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Re: Debate about Roger Schank's Prediction for 2010
The iPad is potentially a phenomenal device for learning. It's inexpensive (compared to laptops or desktop PCs), and there is a swarm of developers striving find a niche. I hope those developers write many compelling learning apps, which will allow schools to save money buying iPads instead of mostly underutilized PCs.
You may want to keep an eye on http://www.inkling.com/.
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Re: Debate about Roger Schank's Prediction for 2010
Stephen,
Let's forget e-learning for a moment. We need a fresh start, look at what we know about how we learn and then create appropriate learning conditions that run on mobile.
The real voyage of discovery consists not in making new landscapes but in having new eyes. ~ Marcel Proust [Comment]
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Re: Debate about Roger Schank's Prediction for 2010
In "iPhones Each Day Keep the Instructor OK; Mobility and Place in American Academic Life" ( http://www.academiccommons.org/commons/essay/mobility-and-monasticism-american-academic-life ) I've tried to expand a bit more on Schank and your observations.
Cheers,
Luke Fernandez
http://itintheuniversity.blogspot.com [Comment]
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