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Mobile Devices & Apps:
One of the fastest growing trends in K-12 education is the use of mobile devices and applications. Mobile devices are considered any portable (easy to carry) device such as: Smartphone’s, tablets, PDA’s, e-readers, mp3 media players, cell phones, graphic calculators, handheld games and a facet of these technologies are the software programs called applications (apps). The term mobile refers to the possibility of taking place in multiple locations, across multiple times (Sarab, Elgamel, & Aldabbas, 2012). Any where and any time learning capabilities. The price and availability of these devices and applications makes it much more accessible than desktops or laptops for a wider range of users. There are 4.18 billion mobile phones in circulation worldwide (Noriss & Soloway, 2011). There is the perception that anyone who wants a mobile phone can get one. Cost is (almost) no longer a barrier (Norris & Soloway, 2011).
The use of mobile devices in education has led to the development of a learning theory called m-learning. Meaning mobile learning. M-learning is a technique that uses mobile and wireless technologies for learning. This technique helps in making learning for our students more interesting, more interactive, more widely available and flexible (Sarab, Elgamel, & Aldabbas, 2012). The Horizon Report 2013 estimates this trend will be in place within one year or less (Johnson, Adams, Cummins, Estrada, Freeman & Ludgate, 2013). Many schools across the country are implementing this trend now to enhance and build skills for our diverse learners by using programs such as BYOD(bring your own device). The M-learning systems are not to replace traditional classrooms but they can be used to complement the learning process in our schools (Sarab, Elgamel, & Aldabbas, 2012). Norris and Soloway (2011) state, classrooms with students so equipped are poised to make the most significant, most disruptive change in educational practice in over 150 years; classrooms can move from and "I Teach" pedagogy to a "We Learn" pedagogy.
References
Johnson, L., Adams, S., Cummins, M., Estrada, V., Freeman, A., & Ludgate, H. (2013). The NMC horizon report K-12 edition. Austin, TX: The New Media Consortium. Retrieved from http://www.nmc.org/pdf/2013-horizon-report-k12.pdf
Norris, C.A., & Soloway, E. (2011). Learning and schooling in the age of mobilism. Educational Technology, 51(6), 3-10. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.lib.ucalgary.ca/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/968114535?accountid9838
Sarrab,M., Elgamel, L., & Aldabbas, H. (2012). Mobile learning(m-learning)and educational environments. International JOurnal of Distributed and Parallel Systems, 3(4), 31-38.
The use of mobile devices in education has led to the development of a learning theory called m-learning. Meaning mobile learning. M-learning is a technique that uses mobile and wireless technologies for learning. This technique helps in making learning for our students more interesting, more interactive, more widely available and flexible (Sarab, Elgamel, & Aldabbas, 2012). The Horizon Report 2013 estimates this trend will be in place within one year or less (Johnson, Adams, Cummins, Estrada, Freeman & Ludgate, 2013). Many schools across the country are implementing this trend now to enhance and build skills for our diverse learners by using programs such as BYOD(bring your own device). The M-learning systems are not to replace traditional classrooms but they can be used to complement the learning process in our schools (Sarab, Elgamel, & Aldabbas, 2012). Norris and Soloway (2011) state, classrooms with students so equipped are poised to make the most significant, most disruptive change in educational practice in over 150 years; classrooms can move from and "I Teach" pedagogy to a "We Learn" pedagogy.
References
Johnson, L., Adams, S., Cummins, M., Estrada, V., Freeman, A., & Ludgate, H. (2013). The NMC horizon report K-12 edition. Austin, TX: The New Media Consortium. Retrieved from http://www.nmc.org/pdf/2013-horizon-report-k12.pdf
Norris, C.A., & Soloway, E. (2011). Learning and schooling in the age of mobilism. Educational Technology, 51(6), 3-10. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.lib.ucalgary.ca/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/968114535?accountid9838
Sarrab,M., Elgamel, L., & Aldabbas, H. (2012). Mobile learning(m-learning)and educational environments. International JOurnal of Distributed and Parallel Systems, 3(4), 31-38.