mLearning doesn’t have to be ad hoc learning

Rod GammonCambridge University Press (NYC)rgammon@cambridge.org

Context

• Balancing response to disruption with maintenance of core value of materials quality

• Want to support learning, not provide one-off gimmicks

What works?

Adapt instruction to individualand small group needs.

• Use formal and informal assessment data to inform academic instruction

• Use one-on-one tutoring if possible; otherwise, break students into small groups

• Provide professional development and ongoing instructional support to all instructors

http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/pdf/practice_guides/ost_pg_072109.pdf

SmartFun

• Nielsen: 66% of homes with Nintendo or Sony handhelds have iOS

March 2012, http://www.electronista.com/articles/12/03/09/nielsen.shows.apple.infiltrating.gaming/

• In 70% of tablet households with kids, kids use it

http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/online_mobile/ american-families-see-tablets-as-playmate-teacher-and-babysitter/

All edu developers should consider

Learner: When, where will they engage?

Knowledge: What is the focus and purpose?

Assessment: How will performance be observed?

Community: How will it impact the class context?

(Adapted from US DOE papers)

Learner

What are the opportunities?• Pre-class prep• In-class activities• Dedicated study and assignments• Self-directed study• Unexpected free time

What is the student’s day like?

Knowledge

Where is the learner in the study lifecycle?• Pre-enrollment• Enrolled• Certification• Performance support

Curriculum + the student’s relationship to it

Assessment

What is the learner’s progress towards their learning purpose?• Time on task• Type of content• Engagement• Performance

Assessment as a prompt for engagement

Community: Educational contextsStudent:Teacher

Person:Technology

Example technologies

Classroom *:1 *:1 Interactive whiteboard, projected PC screen

Media lab *:1 1:1 Desktop PCs, audio recordings, netbooks/tablets

Personal study 1:0 1:1 Mobile phone, netbook

Group study, in-person

*:0 1:2…n Paper and pencil to latest consumer tech

Group 2.0 *:* 1:1 Social network spaces, tablets, local device networks, clickers

mLearning naturally fits with good teaching strategies

And these strategies are more important, because attention can be easily diverted

Levels of coordination with course

• Branding matches (meh)• Content is coordinated (good)• Pedagogy is adapted to device/context

(better)• Persistent student identity across contexts

(best)

All four together are ideal.

Coming things

• http://dictionary.cambridge.org/api.html (July 2012)

• Interactive tablet eBooks• Olympics app• Analytics everywhere

Thank you

@rodgammon

rodgammon

Personal blog: lh-llc.comLocated in New York