Handheld Learning - learning with mobile and ubiquitous technologies

Twittering away our lives!

One can extrapolate similar arguments with the "Digital Divide" debate. The question to ask is how does one define the Digital Native / Digital Immigrant?  We are all "natives" and "immigrants" depending on context and perspective.  Just as there is always going to be "haves" and "have-nots" in the Digital Divide debate.   

With regards to being a digital native I believe the commonly accepted usage (at least among most academics) refers to those who were "born" into a certain environment in which "digital" technology usage is part and parcel of a persons upbringing and culture.
Maybe the expression "digital-native" could be tinged with racial references, but somehow I do not think this was the intention.  Again, I did not read the article you are referring to, so I am not speaking with authority here.

What word (expression) could we use instead of "digital-native"?

Digitally raised  vs. Digitally adopted  ?

BTW, Who put the "M" in Manchester?

Graham,

It is fascinating to witness how all sectors of the mobile industry are being reshaped by "smart-phones".  It was not apparent to me before your posting that even periodical media is morphing itself to keep up with the enormous changes occurring  We are living in some exciting times in the mobile industry and HHL is right smack in the middle of the action.

Cheers!

Mark

I routinely use my iPhone in bed just before I sleep.  I turn the brightness down on the screen (it can be overwhleming when the lights are off) and I read the news and sometimes watch a news video podcast (AC 360- CNN Politics) It is a relaxing way to wind down before sleeping.  I use my Nokia phone for mobile television if i want to watch BBC or AlJazeera in real-time

I rarely use my iDevices while in the loo and I find that this is not very hygenic.

I do use my iDevices when I am in a line (que/cue) or waiting for something that will happen shortly (i.e. I am waiting for water to boil and will refer to my iDevice. Or, I am waiting for a friend or wating for someone to do soemthing  (grab cash from an ATM) then I will use my iDevice briefly.

Also, I am out with family or friends and we want to find out th e name of a song that is playing or fact check something, or look up a schedule.

I could share more.

mamk

Mark A.M. Kramer (MAMK) is an early adopter and informed critic of mobile information and communications technologies. He served in the US Air Force as a Surgical Technician and Combat Field Medic while completing his bachelor’s degree in World Classical Literature and Anthropology at Antioch University in Yellow Springs, Ohio. He continued his studies in Vienna, Austria, by completing his Master’s degree in International Relations at Webster University. Currently, Mark is teaching in Salzburg and conducting his doctoral research within the general field of e-learning, concentrating on applying mobile technologies to enhance personal and cooperative learning communities.

Mark spends a great portion of his time between Vienna and Salzburg traveling on average 16-24 hours a week on the Austrian Railway. This time is spent in part by conducting real-world research and developing strategies for extreme-mobile learning scenarios.

Mark's long-term goal is to apply his medical background and anthropological field-experience to help develop mobile ICT solutions and infrastructure to assist medical & humanitarian staff located in geographically and politically (democratically) challenged regions.

Research Focus:
e-Learning, e-Literacy, e-Inclusion, ICT Enhanced Acquisition of Learning, e-Health, e-Government & e-Democracy, m-Learning.

Dear Grouchal (Al),

You pose some interesting questions regarding the iPod Touch/iPhone platform (iPlatform) and education.  Let me give you my perspectives on the following questions from the perspetive of a researcher who uses both the iPod Touch and iPhone on a daily basis.  For the sake of brevity I will not go into details, but rather share some thoughts and highlight certain subjects and the applications I believe would address the questions you are posing.

Your questions:

How could a particular subject become more engaging [with the iPod Touch / iPhone] ?

Music Theory =  Karajan and Karajan Beginner
install the Karajan Beginner (free version) on your iPhone or iPod Touch and you will experience for yourself that "music theory" becomes more engaging.  This is a wonderful program to develop ear training and has fabulous reviews from music teachers.

Also, there are many program for Language Training applications available, but personally I would just pick up my iPhone and call a friend whom I could practice my target language with.  From this perspective the "killer-app" is the communication afforded by the mobile phone function of the iPhone.


How could the trickiest part of a subject become more engaging?

Regarding "Anatomy Instruction" Modality, Inc. offers several flash card applications based on the illustrations of Frank Netter.  These applications literally allow one to touch the illustraitons and highlight the anatomic structures with ones own finger.  This is definitely more "engaging" physically than using a mouse cursor and clicking a button or turning a page in a book.  So, to answer this question the tricky part in anatomy instruction is getting learners to get a feel for a 3D subject (like anatomy) and this iPlatform fits the bill. Touch/Flash cards!


How could students be better supported outside of the classroom?
This question is self-explanatory.  The iPhone or iPod Touch are mobile devices and can be used in many learning contexts outside of the classroom.  The iPhone or iPod Touch extends formal and informal learning to anywhere, anytime and also "Just-in-time" learning scenarios.  The difference with the iPlatform now is the emphasis on "Location-based" services which fit well into location based / contextual learning scenarios.

If you had the chance to put some interactive exercises or tuition in front of students when they were sat on the sofa or in another social situation - what would it be?

I would encourage my students to engage in " interactive exercises or tuition " while on their daily commute to school or when they feel inspired or moved to do so when socializing/communing with their peers. These devices are handheld and portable tools and can be used anywhere.  Students should be encouraged to use these tools as mutli-modal information and learning support devices.  Call up a friend (expert) on your iPhone if you have a question.  Fact check something quickly on Wikipedia.  Use an application suited to learning (practicing) a certain subject.  Keep abreast of any subject through RSS and use your e-mail as an information delivery point.  Business people use their Blackberry-like devices to keep informed and on top of the game, why can't students do the same for their own personal education!?

The beauty of the iPlatform for education is its human centered approach.  Apple has developed  a truly intuitive interface which makes using the internet (on a mobile basis) easier for  people.  With the ease of use comes increased usage and uptake for various reasons, including education.  Individually we use our iPods / iPhone in different ways to accomplish our personal learning goals.  The strength of the iPlatform is that it is fairly dynamic and can accommodate to many learning styles (including kinethetic learners)!

Just a few thoughts for the questions your posed.

Cheers.

mark

Wonderful!  I look forward to the results that come out of this issue.