The document discusses the challenges of embedding mobile learning in UK universities, highlighting issues such as insufficient IT support, skill gaps among staff and students, and the need for effective engagement strategies. It emphasizes that successful implementation requires a coordinated approach between technology and teaching strategies, along with the involvement of learning and teaching fellows. The narrative includes quotes reflecting on student experiences, the maturity of mobile technology, and the necessity of integrating projects into a long-term institutional strategy.

1. Embedding Mobile Learning A view of issues in UK HE Peter Bird Doctoral Researcher Manchester Metropolitan University [email_address]

2. Agenda Issues that prevent embedding Keeping the knowledge - Links between research projects and the “University” Models for sustainability Some quotes.....

3. Factors which impact diffusion of M-Learning Lack of IT Services support Skills Gap Staff/Students Disruption Finance and Procurement rules Transmission v Socially constructed learning Ethical issues Software Integration Work-life balance Inclusion

4. Factors which have appeared in case studies Business Models of Mobile operators Mobile Applications versus Web Access Applications Security impact Mobile estate management Need for multiple forms of engagement with students Staff/Student dis-engagement Positive impact on students with learning disabilities

5. Embedding Challenge How do you take the experience of projects and role them into long-term strategy? Links between the “local” and the “global” –the project and the university – “Points of Passage”

6. Links between Networks Wednesday, June 16, 2010

7. Issues that impact embedding Central versus distributed IT Links between technology and learning and teaching strategy ( learning and teaching fellows) Separation of IT “Infrastructure” and “Applications” Maverick implementations

8. A Podcasting Tragedy Podcasting starts Dean loves it Dean buys Apple server IT Services say not our problem Podcasting spreads Intranet dies as disks fill with podcasts If only we’d installed that Apple server... Wednesday, June 16, 2010 Event Name and Venue

9. Some quotes On student experience “I was extremely disappointed as I received no text messages despite several tutorials being cancelled or room changes. the only text I did get from Uni was about paying fees. This showed that the Uni was more interested in making money rather than providing a genuine service” On staff skills “You know to give an example a colleague that you know found it quite difficult with the PDA went home and their 8 year old said, here dad I’ll show you how to do it.” On the next steps “I think like most of these things you end up with a few champions that help push it forward and grow it and I think as the maturity of the platforms and sensible solutions to contracts etc. come forward that will help to grow it and embed it. But I think that is definitely going to be a challenge and its got to be done in the context of the wider strategy of how mobile devices are being used in the institution. I don’t think you can embed it in isolation.”

10. Some quotes continued.. On technology maturity “Yes this might be sort of naive but it feels to me like mobile technology in terms of business or enterprise adaptation is maybe roundabout where we were twenty years ago where people were still thinking, oh no PCs they are sort of toys.” On who leads the strategy “ I mean it might be easier for the academic staff to lead from their point of view. From an IT point of view trying to get the message across they see IT and go shh don’t want to know.” On supporting student mobiles “ IT services are wary and reluctant to embrace mobile learning. They have only just about sorted the support of student laptops”

11. Two approaches to successful embedding? Networks of learning and Teaching fellows with strong links to IT and Executive Each Technology introduction is a managed process (prototype, pilot, rollout) and a research project is part of that. The Research project leads the strategy