Researching about Mobile Learning

I was awarded a grant for this past summer to do so (secondary) researching, reading, thinking, and dialoging about mobile learning (specifically with mobile devices). I was supposed to be writing stuff up as I went; ah, well…
Since I’m officially back to school this week, I’ve got to kick into the reporting out phase. I admit, it’s playing a little catch up as well; however, the work gets done! This morning I was hanging up laundry and listening to Slacker Radio on my Blackberry Storm. (humm...I just realized that since I’m in education Bb is a dangerous shortening for me, it can mean both Blackboard and Blackberry). First, I’m just chuckling over the title of the station I listened to: Party Metal. However, as I was folding laundry I got thinking about the fact that if I didn’t like a song (and there was one I wasn’t jiving with) I could skip forward. As a free user, I can only skip forward once. I have to purchase a “plus” account to skip forward more, as well as have other options.
So many mobile and web apps are this case. This gets me thinking that as teachers we have to think about what we ask of our students. For example, I know a colleague loves MindMeister; however, the iPhone/iPod Touch app is $6 or $7. Ultimately, questions I’m thinking about include: how much should we ask of teachers to purchase their own “advanced” accounts? how much should we ask of students to purchase “advanced” accounts? Is it ethical to students needing to learn 21st century literacies to just say “it’s just a fad, we shouldn’t ask teachers and/or students to spend extra money, ignore it!”?

cc licensed flickr photo shared by In Veritas Lux
PS...I’ve now officially realized that “quick save” in Expression Engine is not a “private” save. DAMN!

August 27 2009 | Posted in Mobile Learning