Handheld Learning - learning with mobile and ubiquitous technologies

I still think Windows mobile has a great deal to offer learners.
The continuity between desktop and handheld with common applications and portability of documents makes the introduction of such devices a painless process. Eventually I see mobile becoming a complete browser based experience which will change everything for the better through online collaboration access to document anytime, anywhere through multiploe techonlogical mediums...but whilst infrastuctures remain as they are we are still some way off!! As 3G networks become more robust and wireless connectively gets better and better we move towards this - and there are exciting times ahead but whilst gazing towards the future we should also consider the logistical complexities faced by existing learners.

Both this year and last year we exhibited at the conference. The most contenting this about this years conference was the complete acceptance of the notion of mobile learning. Last year I felt I had to justify the very concept of digital mobility, explaining what is was, the implications for teaching and learning etc. etc.
This year it was refreshing to hear people asking what now? where do we go? what other opportuntites can we present learners? and also great to hear about the innovative practice across the country. Obviously things like the conference are making a huge difference!
Good times indeed!

1) m-learning launches 'm-consult'...
We are happy to announce that Richard Gunson (formally Steljes; and
founder of Learning Everywhere @ Carlton Bolling CLC) and Chris Nash
(formally Steljes) have joined m-learning and will offer strategic advice
and training to strengthen the existing m-learning offering.

Richard and Chris are some of the industries top practioners and will form
the m-consult part of the m-learning, specialising in the utilisation of
ubiquitous mobile technologies to develop and implement strategic and
sustainable improvements in performance.

This combination of the industries leading practioners make m-learning
ideally placed to support the development of new and existing projects and
to help move mobility into the mainstream.

2) m-learning partners with major content providers...
There’s been some big changes to the m-learning.mobi platform based upon
the feedback we’ve had since the launch at last years Handheld Learning
Conference.

As well as the interface ‘makeover' and upgrade/additions to functionality
to embrace a more learner centric approach we are very happy to be working
with Intel® skoool™ and now Encyclopaedia Britannica to deliver rich mobile
media alongside the user generated learning.

The partnership with these renowned content providers (and more to be
announced soon) adds to the teacher generated content to make m-learning
one of the largest repositories for mobile specific content in the world!

3) m-learning launch games-based content on mobile...
Working in parternship with 'I am learning', we will be offering trials of
the BETA version of our games-based revision and assessment system.

This development brings thousands of interactive questions, exercises and
activities - fully curriculum linked - to the mobile platform to engage
students in learning and raise motivation.

In the meantime if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to
contact us at any time

For more information see: www.m-learning.mobi

How excellent to see Ed Balls announcement this morning that the government are to support field trips by investing £4m. The premise is to get around the red tape and take away the difficulties with health and safety by providing a kite mark of 'safe and responsible' places which schools can visit without the difficulties.
This really does show how our government are creating opportunities and realising the importance of learning outside the school gates. Lets hope each student has a ubiquious device with them to capture learning!

Very interesting Tony. Strangley this brings back an old argument of Learning Platforms. Is this sort of out of school learning an authentic use of a Learning Platform? i.e. making recordings and materials available through the platform, accessible on all technological devices but coupled with collaborative spaces to support discussion around the topic and thus create opportunities for more in depth learning.

Woke up this morning to the news that half the country feels students should not be made to do homework. Woud be interesting to see what everyone thinks about this.

Some inital thoughts:
What about simply inspiring students to learn outside of school!
If we were accrediting learning experiences outside the school gates more effectively, would this perception change?
Should we use the term homework? Surley in an increasinglyy mobile world we should look more to suggetsing students capture learning experiences as they move through space and time, thus not homework but simply taking opportunties to learning wherever and whenever the learner desires or is inspired too learn

Very interesting to hear thoughts on this one

m-learning.mobi working with Intel® skoool™

Students worldwide need to develop mathematics and science skills to build, and participate in, the future of digital creativity. This foundation of technical innovation can lead to prosperity from social and economic development. With digital devices becoming a bigger part of the learning landscape, skoool™ Learning and Teaching Technology becomes a valuable learning resource of groundbreaking, interactive content. The skoool™ Learning and Teaching Technology program together with m-learning.mobi has been designed to support the following key objectives:

• Provide leading usage models for teaching and learning with technology that can be immediately deployed nationwide in classrooms and at home by means of the Internet.
• Provide learning resources which integrate and inter-operate with existing ministry portal and classroom teaching programmes and with leading standards-based learning management systems (LMS) to provide the integrated learning ecosystem of the future
  
• A technology solution that helps to transform the learning and teaching process and extend the potential of students and teachers through the next decade.

Integrated into m-learning.mobi, the Intel® skoool™ resources provide instant access to rich mobile learning content to support learning anytime, anywhere and in any context.

For more information plese see:
http://www.m-learning.mobi AND http://www.skoool.co.uk/

Hi all
Take a look at I am learning :: www.iamlearning.co.uk which provides revision materials for ks2 - ks4 through games based learning

Hi Saku
Take a look at www.m-learning.mobi -  a series of tools, applications and content to support learning and teaching. Specifically take a look at the Intel Skoool page and the empasis on Science (and maths).
If you want some logins to have a closer look for your study, please feel free to drop me an email at michael@m-learning.mobi

I cant help but still loving Windows Mobile. An increasing number of devices now support the OS and this is having an impact on the high street.
Love it or loathe it, Windows is still the de facto platform used in homes and schools. Windows mobile provides a natural extension and makes use of the rudimentary skills already developed by our learners.
Its far from drawing its last breath, especially as we seee devcies like the HTC touch as a true competitor for the iPhone (which still doesnt support flash and is still tied to one network!!!!)
Let's forget the MS hate and think about supporting every device which enhances learning and teaching!

I've been away for a while and it's strange to come back and read threads like this.
I think the orignial point in the article was to address the question of why their is such a lack of business start ups in education.
It is true there are very little start up's in education, specifically looking at innovation such as digital mobility. I started my business two years ago, leaving a well paid job along with my collegues. All of us have taken drop's in pay and to date have made very little money as commerically there are not sound markets. The mobile learning landscape is still very immature in commercial terms...the margins just are not there, hence the lack of new businesses. HOWEVER....I think it is fair to say that the few business which operate in this arena (some very notable in the article and a number of others not!) all embody a philosophy of innovating and improving teaching and learning and are not necessarily looking at short term capital gain...Christ knows if I was...I'd of disbanded a long time ago!!!

I have discussed the concept of digital native on this forum for some time (valid...it's been a while since I've been here!)

The terms digital native and digital immigrant in my opinion are not to pigeon whole but rather provide a means of understanding of 21st Century learners. The young of today are constantly surrounded by digital technologies; facilitating leisure, communication, learning, indeed ever facet of their lives. This differs from the landscape which we grew up in. The terms help us to understand that we need to make changes in the schooling system to ensure learners dont 'power-down' when they enter the classroom, bound by methodologies which predate the prominence of such digital technologies. They are at one with technology and we need to embrace them exploiting their potential for learning and teaching.

This topic is one which has interested me for some time, not just about schools killing creativity but also the desire to learn!
So...were born into the big wide world and instantly start to learn (having already been learning prior to birth!!!). We make sense of the world around us through every sense we have, learning to learn more effectively, learning how to communicate through language aquisition (complex enough!) and ultimately to participate in society etc. etc. etc.
So this suggests an inate desirte and ability to learn. So why is it we put strutures in place which take away these traits once children reach school. One for the socail anthropologists / pscyologists I think!!!

Michael Wilkinson

Hi Roger
It would be great to hear more about this project and perhaps see some of the research.
We at m-learning.mobi are looking at a similar sounding project for trainee teachers together with Roehampton Univeristy, with a particular focus on evidence gathering.

Michael

The project does sound very interesting and it would be great to hear more about the link between the schools learning platform and mobile i.e. providing access to learning and data for the student and well as parents.

Michael