Definite And Indefinite: A Critical Perspective On Defining Mobile Learning and Mobile Learning Environments

Definite andIndefinite:A Critical Perspective On DefiningMobile Learning and Mobile LearningEnvironmentsMichael M. Grant, PhDmgrant2@memphis.edu | @michaelmgrantAECT | November 2011 Michael M. Grant 2011

Michael M. GrantThe University of Memphis@michaelmgranthttp:/ /viral-notebook.com

DEFINITIONS OF MOBILELEARNING

“Extensions of Distance Education & eLearningThe intersection of mobile computing andelearning … eLearning independent of locationin time or space. — Quinn (2000) “

“Extensions of Distance Education & eLearningM-learning is an emerging area of distanceeducation. E-learning … is now beingtransformed by the Internet and by the power ofwireless technologies. “ — McGreal (2009)

“ Exploitation of TechnologyExploitation of ubiquitous handheld hardware,wireless networking and mobile telephony tofacilitate, support, enhance, and extend thereach for teaching and learning. “ — Mobile Learning Network (2010)

“ Exploitation of TechnologyTakes advantage of ubiquitous networks andpervasive digital devices. — Wagner & Wilson (2005) “

“ Exploitation of TechnologyDevices which a lady can carry in her handbagor a gentleman can carry in his pocket …theprovision of education and training on PDAs/palmtops/handhelds, smartphones, and mobilephones. “ — Keegan (2005)

“ Mediation with TechnologyMediated through a mobile device. — Herrington & Herrington (2007) “

“ Anytime, AnyplaceIs not constrained by space or time … allaspects of the students’ lives and could takeplace anytime and in between other activities. — Ng, Nicholas, Loke & Torabi (2010) “

INADEQUATE DEFINITIONS

•  Definitions based in distance education and elearning may have faulty assumptions.Inadequate definitions

Distance Learning eLearning mLearning Georgiev, Georgieva, & Smrikarov (2004)Inadequate definitions

Distance Learning eLearning mLearning adapted from So (2010)Inadequate definitions

•  Definitions based in distance education and elearning may have faulty assumptions.•  Definitions disregard or do not adequately consider the more knowledgeable other.•  Definitions that consider constructivist stances alone do not consider performance support or direct instruction methods.•  Definitions based in technologies are threatened by obsolescence.Inadequate definitions

CULTURE & SITUATEDNESS

•  Mobility with learning affords authentic interactions within cultural settings.•  Learning in situ provides authentic settings and lend real-world credence to learning contents.•  Context-aware, or location-based services, allow specific learning tasks to occur at a particular location.•  The value and utility of location-based services is just beginning to show promise.Culture & situatedness

MEDIATION

•  Mobile devices and mobile services mediate interactions with physical and networked environments.•  Mediated interactions encourage knowledge construction.Mediation

“ MediationMobile learners “reshape what defines thedevices, as well as what they in turn need tolearn.” — Koole & Ally (2006) “

FORMAL & INFORMALLEARNING

•  Formal learning is considered where learners are engaging with materials developed by a teacher to be used during a program of instruction.•  Informal learning is described as learning that people do on their own.•  Mobile devices afford both formal and informal learning.Formal & informal learning

•  Much of mobile learning literature focuses on the informal learning component.•  Fragmented, transient knowledge may occur from informal learning.•  Disconnected pieces of information must be integrated and internalized.Informal learning

LEARNER AUTONOMY, SELF-DIRECTION & SELF-REGULATION

•  Mobile learners are physically and socially separated from peers and teachers.•  Learning itself with mobile devices and mobile services may change.•  There is not consensus on the use of self- regulation with mobile learning.Learner Autonomy, self-direction & self-regulation

WHAT DOES ‘MOBILE’ MEAN?

•  Mobile is used often without a clear definition.•  Mobile described both identity and influences.•  Mobile reflects the fluidity and flexibility of mobile devices and mobile services.•  Mobile augments learners.What does ‘mobile’ mean?

MOBILE DEVICES & SERVICES

•  Characteristics of mobile devices make them attractive for learners, teachers, and developers.Mobile Devices & Services

1.  highly portable 5.  adaptable2.  individual 6.  persistent3.  unobtrusive 7.  useful4.  available anywhere 8.  intuitiveCharacteristics of mobiledevices (Sharples, 2000)

•  Characteristics of mobile devices make them attractive for learners, teachers, and developers.•  Multiple devices can be exploited.•  Mobile device adoption does not guarantee its potential or use.•  Mobile device adoption does not guarantee the adoption of mobile services.•  Little attention given to the distinction between mobile devices and mobile services.Mobile Devices & Services

PARADOXES OF LEARNING INMOBILE SETTINGS

The more learning is decentralized, themore important guidance andscaffolding will become.Paradoxes of learning inmobile settings

Increasing cooperation requiresincreasing personal responsibility.Paradoxes of learning inmobile settings

Fragmented information does notchange into knowledge until it hasbeen internalized.Paradoxes of learning inmobile settings

As the amount of communicationincreases and the closer it comes toreal time, the more time we need torespond.Paradoxes of learning inmobile settings

Increasing communication andinformation increases chaos.Paradoxes of learning inmobile settings

The time used to look for informationdecreases the time one can dedicate toprocessing that information.Paradoxes of learning inmobile settings

QUESTIONS UNANSWERED

•  Hannafin (1992) argues that learning environments for emerging technologies are best suited for SCLEs and constructivist activities.•  But what of direct instruction, practice over time, and performance support?Questions Unanswered

•  Reeves and others have asked us to identify the “active ingredients” in instruction and learning environments in order to define their impact.•  Reeves also has suggested that we learning with, from, and about media.Questions Unanswered

MKO is mobileContent is Device is mobile mobile Mobile Learning Environment Data services Learner is are mobile persistent Cultures & Settings

“ On mLearningDifferent letter prefixes promote selling,they appeal to people and help catchtheir attention, but strictly speaking theyare futile and unnecessary, because … inwashed away. “the end, all unessential features are — Tella (2003)

THANKS.Michael M. Grantmgrant2@memphis.edu | @michaelmgrant Michael M. Grant 2011

Definite And Indefinite: A Critical Perspective On Defining Mobile Learning and Mobile Learning Environments

by Michael M Grant

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