Thursday, March 14, 2013

Mobile Technology Reflection


Mobile Learning Technologies for 21st Century Classrooms


This article focuses on the advantageous use of mobile devices within today’s classrooms. It begins by stating that mobile devices allowing learning with the use of technology to occur not only in the classroom but also outside of the classroom. For example, this could include using technology to learn on field trips, in the school yard, gym, study hall, and so on. In addition, the article addresses how today’s students are being exposed to more technology than ever. A majority of these students use technology on a daily basis outside of school especially through cell phones. This article proposes that students will relate better to learning if it is presented in familiar ways. It is thought that this can be done by incorporating technology into the classroom.

This article focuses specifically on the use of mobile technologies including the Ipod Touch, e-reader, Ipad, and cell phones. It describes different ways that these devices can be used to enhance the learning experience. Concerning the Ipod Touch and Ipad, there are a variety of educational apps that can be downloaded and used. Apps provide a wide variety of resources. For example, The Elements is an interactive periodic table, Alphabet Fun teaches handwriting and letter recognition, and the Beautiful Planet HD gives virtual tours of countries. Next, e-readers have revolutionized the world of books, including textbooks. These devices allow students to carry their books anywhere and have access to with the touch of a finger. Finally cell phones are gaining a new reputation within schools. In past years, they have been forbidden within schools; however, more recently benefits of in school use are being recognized. One way cell phones can be incorporated within the learning of the classroom is through websites like Poll Everywhere. This site allows teachers to create questionnaires that the students can respond to via text messages. In addition, most all of these devices (with the exception of e-readers) allow wifi internet that is accessible to students at almost any location imaginable.

As a future teacher, I believe that it is ideal to incorporate technology within the classroom whenever possible. All of the various ways this can be done would be very beneficial to all students in the learning process. Having mobile devices takes learning through technology to a whole new level within the schools. I will one day be a high school history teacher. I can use mobile devices to allow students to be exposed to a wide variety of tools that can help them in learning, researching, creating, and displaying.

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