Assignment - The value of Mobile technology in teaching and learning.

The value of mobile technology within the learning environment is a topic which is constantly up for discussion. There are educators that disagree with it and are slightly frightened of using it, alongside teachers that enjoy using it and integrating it within their lectures to illustrate the message in an 'out of the ordinary' fashion.

According to Keengue (2013), mobile technology has a large potential to transform the way in which students learn providing that the technology and devices are used within the lectures to benefit the subject area or topic in hand. This view is supported by the works of Sharples, Taylor & Vavoula (2010), who state that children are constantly developing new skills since the technology in education shift, and these are enables through the use of mobile devices. The fantastic possibilities and avenues that are introduced through mobile learning allow for educational services and media to be matched to the specific learner's interests and contexts. This then leads on to even better engagement in the learning process (Sharples, Taylor & Vavoula, 2010).

The multiple input approaches of mobile technology creates an inquisitive approach to learning enticing students to experiment. According to Sharples, Taylor and Vavoula (2010), the ability to take pictures, record sounds, record videos and key in text to aid with learning can be used conveniently, and frequently with a lot of fun if used correctly and wisely. It is through these views, that the view of mobile technology being of great value within the classroom can be established.

A study conducted by Lai, Uang and Liang (2009) on two classes of fifth grade elementary school students in China found that technology in learning is of great importance. The study found that technology in learning aids students through the experimentation aspect and entices the students to engage, as supported by Sharples, Taylor and Vavoula (2010).  The researches within the study separated the classes and gave 34 students in one group a task to complete with PDA's and the other group of 32 students using no forms of mobile technology. Through the findings of this study, it was displayed that the PDA group of students enjoyed and engaged and performed better at the task than those who did not. The aim of this study was to display the importance of mobile technology and how it can be used for educational purposes.

With studies being conducted in order to display the importance of moving with the technology advancements, it is clear to see just even through this short evaluation of the value of mobile technology in learning, that there are strong positives to be gained through it's integration within the classroom.



References

Keengue.J. (2013) Mobile learning and integration of mobile technologies in education, Education and Information technologies. 19(4), pp.737-746.

Sharples. M., Taylor. J., & Vavoula. G. (2010) A theory of learning for the mobile age, Meidenbildung in neuen Kulturraumen. Wiesbaden : VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften.

Lai, C., Uang, J., & Liang, J. (2009). Mobile technology supported experiential learning, International Journal of Instructional Media. 36(1), pp. 41-53.