The Value of Mobile Technology in Teaching and Learning.

From the start of this blog I have looked at different software, all of which can be used in education, whether they be stand alone software, or part of a software package. They are all available on mobile technology, and they can all add to the students learning environment and experience. The use of new technology in education is a new and growing field, however a question which needs to be asked is does it actually add to our learning experience ?  

According to Montrieux, Vanderlinde, Schellens and Marez (2015) a study of students and teachers perceptions on the impact of using mobile tablet technology for learning and teaching purposes in the classroom found that it does have an impact. However, they suggest that the results indicate that teachers can be separated into two distinct categories. One category being innovative teachers and the second categories being instrumental teachers. The innovative teachers move away from a teaching centered approach to a learning centered one. They have altered their teaching style by adapting their lessons in accordance to the perceived advantages that mobile tablet devices offer. Whereas instrumental teachers use mobile technology as a 'book behind glass'. This separation between the two has consequences for the way in which courses are delivered and in the way that students experience them. It also shifts the way in which students learn as modern devices present students with media-rich and interactive environments. 

It is fine to introduce new technology into the classroom as far as I am concerned, however using computer technology to learn with is replete with disappointments and promises (Rosenberg, 2001). Whereas according to Kozma (2005) 'Information and communication technology is a principal driver in our Information Society'. I do find it difficult to find a balance, especially as the teaching value is only as good as the teacher delivering. If the teacher is no good at mobile technology then you are simply not going to gain any benefit from it. However the reverse is also true, if the teacher is a technological geek and everything is geared towards learning by technology you have to ask yourself where is the personalisation of the input from the teacher ? otherwise it will be a completely sterile environment in which to learn. 

Kozoma, R. B., 2005. National policies that connect ICT-based education reform to economic and social development. Human Technology: An Interdisciplinary Journal on Humans in ICT Environments, 1 (20), pp. 117-56. 

Rosenberg, M., 2001. E-learning : Strategies for delivering knowledge in the digital age. New York, NY: McGraw Hill. 

Montrieux, H., Vanderlinde, R., Schellens, T. and De Marez., 2015. Teaching and learning with mobile technology: A qualitative explorative study about the introduction of tablet devices in secondary education. PLoS ONE, [online] Available at: http://www.plosone.org/article/fetchObject.action?uri=info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0144008&representation=PDF [accessed 17 January 2015]