Dial M for Learning: mLearning ideas » Mobile Learning

The Handheld Devices for Ubiquitous Learning (HDUL) project

Carol Daunt — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 01:02:48 +0000

The HDUL project funded by Harvard’s Provost and under the guidance of Professor Chris Dede, sought to determine how wireless handheld devices (WHDs) – which include, but are not limited to, cellphones, personal digital assistants, and mobile gaming devices – could enhance learning and teaching in university settings. During the 2003–2004 and 2004–2005 academic years, HDUL successfully integrated WHDs into eight diverse courses at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) and the Harvard Extension School (HES).

Their website documents the support materials and publications developed from the project.

You might also enjoy a streamed presentation by Chris Dede. (Be patient & sit through the first few minutes of introduction – or grab a cuppa.)

Podcast Refreshers for Medical Practitioners

Carol Daunt — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 13:13:10 +0000

A couple of interesting uses of podcasting in the medical arena from Sonosite. If you have the stomach for it, take a peek at their FAST Exam and Aorta Exam. In their words:

These dynamic and comprehensive Video Refresher Modules are intended to provide a quick review to any practitioner who has attended formal training workshops, but are still in the initial learning curve and in need of a refresher when performing the focused procedure/evaluation. These modules are not intended to replace hands-on and or didactic training programs, but enhance them.

You have to sign a disclaimer before you get to see them. You can watch online through Quicktime or Media Player if you don’t want to download to your iPod. Click here to access.

Innovative Practice with e-Learning

Carol Daunt — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 11:55:49 +0000

This publication from JISC is a good practice guide to embedding mobile and wireless technologies into everyday practice. It’s aimed at practitioners and managers in further and higher education and adult and community learning.

‘Innovative Practice with e-Learning’ identifies challenges and benefits relating to the use of six commonly found mobile devices and reflects the findings of reports commissioned through the e-Learning and Innovation strand. Ten new case studies are also included to illustrate the use and the impact of these new technologies from three perspectives: those of the learner, the practitioner and the institution.

You can download the publication free of charge.

New media degree for the ‘iPod generation’

Carol Daunt — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 12:43:27 +0000

I’ve taken this piece directly from Cambridge News Online UK:

Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge is launching a BSc honours degree in new media production technology, or services and content for the “iPod generation”.

First students will start the new course in September, mixing creativity with practical technology.

Course leader, Dr Tim Rowsell, said: “The rapid decline in the cost of digital cameras and audio equipment, along with the rise in broadband use in the UK has led to a marked rise in new media production and consumption.

“Many new companies are expanding to exploit these opportunities, however, in order to pursue a career in these creative industries there is need for both technical and creative skills, which this degree is designed to provide.”

The degree course will include live streaming, studio recording, video post-production and effects, DVD production, workshops on commercial software, and satellite and mobile technology.

Berkeley extends reach to iPod generation

Carol Daunt — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 04:27:48 +0000

Further extending its curricular reach to the iPod generation, the University of California, Berkeley, recently announced “Berkeley on iTunes U“, a free service that makes video and audio recordings of a growing number of course lectures available both on and off campus through Apple Computer’s iTunes Music Store.

“Berkeley on iTunes U” is now available and is open to the public as well as to all UC Berkeley students. Read more.

mLearn 2005 papers available online

Carol Daunt — Mon, 22 May 2006 13:42:23 +0000

The 4th World Conference on Mobile Learning, mLearn 2005, was held in Cape Town, South Africa from 25 to 28 October 2005.

Abstracts & papers from the conference are available for download in PDF.

mLearn 2006 will be held in Banff, Canada 22-25 October.

What’s Your Brain Age?

Carol Daunt — Wed, 10 May 2006 11:54:52 +0000

For decades Nintendo has been exercising your thumbs. Now they’re going to exercise your mind.

Their recent game is called Brain Age and is surely something we teachers can’t be unhappy with. In their own words:

What is Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day?
Exercise is the key to good health, both for body and mind – and now there’s finally a way to make mental exercise simple, fun, even competitive. Inspired by the work of prominent Japanese neuroscientist Dr. Ryuta Kawashima, Brain Age features activities designed to help stimulate your brain and give it the workout it needs like solving simple math problems, counting people going in and out of a house simultaneously, drawing pictures on the Nintendo DS touch screen, and reading classic literature out loud.

View the video

You can read about Brain Age and even the scientific Neurological explanation for how it all works.

There are some interesting possibilities here for mobile learning – in fact it IS mobile learning. Now all I need is to find a teenager with a Nintendo and I can check my own Brain Age and go for some improvement!

mLearning Resources for Schools

Carol Daunt — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 00:04:50 +0000

Ian Marsden is a teacher at Cannonvale State School in Australia who has been using handhelds with his students since 2004. Ian has generously shared some software he has developed for the Pocket PC, which you can download at his Resources page. You can read more about his journey and find other resources at his website Pocket-Ed Futures.Thanks to Ian for leading me to learninginhand.com . In their own words: an educator’s resource for using handheld computing in schools. You’ll find lists of great software applications for Palm and Windows Mobile computers. You’ll find resources for podcasting and eBooks. Also, there’s a comprehensive listing of the best sites for educators, lesson plans, classroom management tips, and more.

Please add any resources you know of via the comments box.

mLearning Examples from Europe

Carol Daunt — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 08:25:09 +0000

Want to have a look at more of those mLearning programs I played in the workshop – remember the stopping distance so you don’t hit the cat?

These come from a pan-European research and development programme. It is aimed at young adults, aged 16 to 24, who are most at risk of social exclusion in Europe. They have not succeeded in the education system, cannot read and write adequately and have problems with simple calculations except in familiar contexts. They are not currently involved in any education or training and may be unemployed, under employed, or even homeless. Click here to go to the programs.