Week 1: Introduction to Touchscreen

Thing #1 Watch a video introduction to mobile technology

Besides mobile homes and Mobile, Alabama, mobile technology is the most important “mobile” out there today! But what, exactly, constitutes mobile technology? Am I a form of mobile technology? Is my car? Is my Grandma in her scooter chair? The answer, technically, is yes to all of those – but wait, there’s more!

Check out this video to get started on your magical mobile journey . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bHVGev9UCU

Thing #2 Mobile technologies in education

There is a movement called “MLearning” which has to do with using mobile technology in education, but it can also be used in workplace environments, learning disguised as games, and even in the army (http://mobileben.wordpress.com/2011/04/14/what-the-army-is-doing-in-mobile-learning/).

It’s all about creating a 21^st-century learning environment that incorporates the technology everyone’s already using. Ideas can be as simple as using surveys during class to encourage “virtual” hand-raising, to as complicated as whole classes built on mobile apps that act as on-the-go classrooms. The great thing about MLearning is that it is, of course, mobile, so homework assignments can become more fun and interactive. Forget sitting down with a ditto sheet, now homework can involve going outside and snapping pictures of bugs for science class, or playing “Words With Friends” to enhance literacy skills (and get thrown off a plane). Or tablets can be used in schools to promote MLearning and digital literacy, while at the same time being platforms for students to turn in class work.

There are tons of sites out there that support learners and developers of MLearning content, such as:

• Learning2Go: https://www.wolverhampton-engage.net/sites/anonymous/Learning2Go/Pages/default.aspx

• MobLearn: http://moblearn.blogspot.com/

• Apple in Education: http://www.apple.com/education/resources/

I hate to break it to you, but “Digital Bombardment” is upon us, so we might as well get on board! (http://themobilelearner.wordpress.com/2012/12/09/some-thoughts-around-digital-bombardment/).