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Title:
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TEACHING AND LEARNING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY WITH MOBILE DEVICES |
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Author(s):
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Mark Frydenberg |
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ISBN:
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ISSN: 1645-7641 |
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Editors:
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Pedro Isaías |
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Year:
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2006 |
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Edition:
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V IV,2 |
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Keywords:
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Mobile learning, Pocket PCs, Introductory Technology Course, integrated learning, learning spaces. |
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Type:
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Journal Paper |
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First Page:
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31 |
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Last Page:
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45 |
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Language:
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English |
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Cover:
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Full Contents:
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click to dowload 
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Paper Abstract:
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Recent years have seen a dramatic growth in the availability of mobile devices and applications. Lower prices and increased capabilities have contributed to the popularity of these handheld computers among students and faculty, especially on college campuses where wireless Internet access is prevalent. This study explores the use of Pocket PCs to enhance teaching and learning of technology concepts in a first year Introduction to Technology course at a business college. By creating learning spaces and activities for integrated, experiential mobile learning, students learned about technology by using it rather than reading about it from textbooks. At the same time, their use of technology provided a context for applying knowledge from other domains. This paper describes the various learning spaces that integrate the use of mobile devices both inside and outside of the classroom to introduce course topics. The course focused on teaching integrated tools, not discrete topics, to prepare students to use mobile technology to figure out how to accomplish specific tasks. In addition to an increased facility with technology, students became more organized outside of class, maintaining their schedules and tasks, exchanging information between laptops and hand held devices and finding uses for wireless Internet access. The Pocket PC became a useful tool not only to complete students coursework but also as part of their daily routines. To measure their learning and attitudes about technology, students in the Technology Intensive sections (using Pocket PCs) and those in Standard sections were surveyed at the beginning and end of the semester and given a common final exam. On average, the students using Pocket PCs scored at least as well if not better than those not using them. Students were surveyed one year after the taking the course regarding the extent to which they use still use their Pocket PCs for other course work and daily life management tasks. The results, from student surveys taken over three consecutive semesters, show a consistently high rate of continued usage one year later |
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