The value of mobile technology in teaching and learning

Mobile technology in teaching and learning

Mobile technology is all around us. The industry has advanced more that we could have imagined over the last decade or more. The mobile phone for instance is now a fully functional hand held computer. Tablets have been introduced replacing laptops and the old desktop computer. 

Within institutions it is expected that they have hi speed broadband and that WiFi is readily available. Students today entering higher education have attained a certain level of ICT skills. In the Donaldson report for the Welsh Governments review on Curriculum he recommends six areas of learning and that technology should be one of them (Donaldson, 2015) which will lead to all students having a level of ICT competency when entering HE and expectations will be higher.

We use technology alongside our traditional methods of teaching, we use Powerpoint presentations to enhance our lectures, interactive white boards that engage the learner (Beetham & Sharpe, 2007). We have our lessons and presentations alongside a reading list available to students on programs such as Moodle. For students that have missed a class this helps them to catch up on lessons missed.  Using technology within the blended learning lesson can enhance student engagement and meet the needs of a range of these learners (Montgomery, A .P., Hayward, D.V., Dunn, W., Carbonaro, M., & Amrhein, C.G., 2015 p.664). Using flipped learning can 

Assessing learning has been made easier through using ICT based assessment applications, and using this approach students can benefit from accessing instant feedback on their learning(Montgomery, A .P., Hayward, D.V., Dunn, W., Carbonaro, M., & Amrhein, C.G., 2015 p.666). This helps to improve student interaction and motivation. 

Using  ICT within a blended learning environment will definitely support the learning and enhance the students experience. It will make for an interesting interactive lesson and help motivate the student to become involved.

---

References

Beetham, H. & Sharpe, R., 2007. Rethinking Pedagogy for a Digital Age. 1st ed. London: Routledge.

Professor Graham Donaldson CB, February 2015, Successful Futures, Independent Review of Curriculum and Assessment Arrangements in Wales

Montgomery, A. .. H. D. D. W. C. M. &. A. C., 2015. Lessons learned for MOOCs and beyond.. Blending for student engagement -Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, Volume 31(6),, pp. 657-670