funghi 23 ott 08

m-Learning in practice: m-Learning in practice: the experiencethe experience of Consorzio FOR.COM. of Consorzio FOR.COM.

Federica FunghiFederica Funghi

Consorzio FOR.COM.Consorzio FOR.COM.Formazione per la ComunicazioneFormazione per la Comunicazione

Rome, 23 October 2008Rome, 23 October 2008

Overview

1. Background

2. Definition of mobile learning

3. Consorzio FOR.COM.’s experience

4. Lessons learnt

5. What’s next

1. Background1. Background

Mobile Age

EconomicEconomic, politicalpolitical and socialsocial changesare related and connected everywhere

Portable technologies

Educational Educational contextcontext::

“There is a promise of greater ‘reach’, of more and easier access, of a kind of democratization of education, a sense not just of a transformation, but a revolution of wide- and far-reaching areas of the educational world.”

Kress, G & Pachler N (2007)

Intensity of interest around the effect of portable IT for learning and

teaching opportunityopportunity to design learning differently:

Linking people in real and virtual worlds

Creating learning communities

Providing “knowledge on demand”

1. Background1. Background

2. Definition of mobile learning2. Definition of mobile learning Interest in mobile learning (m-learning) is growing exponentially

There is no single definition of m-learning Different people mean different things when they use the term m-learning:

“Mobile learning as eLearning that uses mobile devices and wireless transmission” (Pinkwart, et al. 2003)

“Learning that takes place with the help of mobile devices” (Quinn 2000)

“Mobile devices as a pervasive medium that may assist us in combining work, study and leisure time in meaningful ways” (Turner, et al. 2003)

Technology-oriented

definitions

Learning “as a process of coming to know, by which learners in cooperation with their peers and teachers, construct transiently stable interpretations of their world.” Sharples (2005)

This definition gives mobile technologies a special rolespecial role they increase our possibilities of communicationcommunication and conversationconversation.

Constructivist

approach

2. Definition of mobile learning2. Definition of mobile learning

3. Consorzio FOR.COM.’s experience3. Consorzio FOR.COM.’s experience

Focus on potential potential and impact impact of wireless technologies on:of wireless technologies on:

Self-directed learning

Tutoring & collaborative learning (including peer-learning)

Learning on the job (importance of context in establishing meanings)

ThroughThrough 3 main experiences carried out in the framework of the

Leonardo da Vinci ProgrammeLeonardo da Vinci Programme

3. Consorzio FOR.COM.’s 3. Consorzio FOR.COM.’s experienceexperience

VIPVIP, Visually Interacting E-Learning Platform (2003-2005)- e-learning & m-learning for SMEs managershttp://www.forcom.it/vipproject/index.htm

TALASTALAS, Tourism mAnagement eLeArning Solutions (2004-2006)- e-learning & m-learning for tourism managershttp://www.forcom.it/talasproject/index.htm

TIPSTIPS, T-learning to Improve Professional Skills for intercultural dialogue (2007 – expected end 2009)- e-learning, m-learning & tv-learning for cultural mediatorshttp://www.forcom.it/tipsproject/

http://www.forcom.it/vipproject/index.htm


http://www.forcom.it/talasproject/index.htm




http://www.forcom.it/tipsproject


VIP VIP (2003-2005) TALAS TALAS (2004-2006) TIPS TIPS (2007-2009)

SMS systemSMS system tutor-user tutor-user

ChatVideo-chatForum users’ list users’ list

Chat

Instant messag./SMS

users’ listusers’ list

From a From a one-to-one relationshipone-to-one relationship Towards a Towards a many-to-many relationshipmany-to-many relationship

From an From an asynchasynch interactioninteraction Towards a Towards a synch + asynch synch + asynch interactioninteraction

TutoringTutoring TutoringTutoring

Peer-learningPeer-learning

TutoringTutoring

Peer-learningPeer-learning


TALAS PROJECTTALAS PROJECT




ForumForum

VideochatVideochat



TIPS PROJECTTIPS PROJECT




ChatChat Instant messaging/SMSInstant messaging/SMS




Quizzes Quizzes m-Pills

Cartoons

Quizzes

m-Pills

Phrasebook

Glossary

From a From a theory-orientedtheory-oriented approach approach Towards a Towards a practice-orientedpractice-oriented approach approach (Learning on the Job)(Learning on the Job)



m-Pillsm-Pills




GlossaryGlossary




PhrasebookPhrasebook


VIP VIP (2003-2005) TALAS TALAS (2004-2006) TIPS TIPS (2007-2009)e-learning platforme-learning platform

++m-learning portal m-learning portal

e-learning platforme-learning platform++

m-learning portalm-learning portal

e-learning plate-learning plat++

m-learning portalm-learning portal++

Tv-learning platformTv-learning platform

From an From an integration as a sumintegration as a sum Towards a Towards a real integrationreal integration

Linked through Linked through one singleone single comprehensive databasecomprehensive database



i-mode phones i-mode phones Nokia 9000 and superior Nokia 9000 and superior (smart phones*) +(smart phones*) +

PDA Qtek 9000 (palm)PDA Qtek 9000 (palm)

Nokia N70 and superior Nokia N70 and superior (smart phones) (lower than (smart phones) (lower than

TALAS requirements) +TALAS requirements) +

PDAPDA

*A class of wireless phone handsets with many features, and often a keyboard. What makes the phone "smart" is its ability to handle data, not only voice calls

From a From a limited accessibilitylimited accessibility Towards a Towards a wider accessibility wider accessibility (limited types of devices)(limited types of devices)


FOR.COM.’s projects onFOR.COM.’s projects on m-learning focus m-learning focus more and more on:more and more on:

Context-oriented contents

Peer learning and peer evaluation

Real integration with other platforms (e-learning, m-learning, tv-learning)

Just in time information

4. 4. Lessons learntLessons learnt

Methodological issues:Methodological issues:

m-Lerning is better if part of blended courses:blended courses: features and potential inherent in mobile devices can make up for distance learning’s typical weaknesses (isolation, internet & pc etc.)

a course entirely delivered through mobile devices cannot offer exhaustive contents (small screen sizes short bits of information are much more suited to m-learning than full courses)

Teacher’s or mentor’s enthusiasmenthusiasm and involvement seem to be very important for successful mobile learning.

4. 4. Lessons learntLessons learnt

Accessibility issues:Accessibility issues:

Wireless connectivity has cost implicationscost implications to be considered at the outset of a new project: Mixing online learning and materials previously downloaded to mobile devices helps to reduce costs and the inconvenience of signal disruption (e.g. poor signal in some areas)

The device requires an adequate memory capacitymemory capacity allowing the ability to store files and applications

When designers plan new transnational projects, they need to consider country differences country differences in connectivity (GSM/GPRS/EDGE /UMTS) and diffusion of devices with certain features

5. What’s next5. What’s next

FOR.COM. means to go in depth with mobile learning experimentation by:FOR.COM. means to go in depth with mobile learning experimentation by:

Increasing FlexibilityIncreasing Flexibility Applications will be viewable on a variety of devices Contents designed for use with one kind of device or operating system will be played on other devices

Increasing InteractivityIncreasing Interactivity The application will allow users to interact freely with the display and the content

5. What’s next5. What’s next

FOR.COM. means to go in depth with mobile learning experimentation by:FOR.COM. means to go in depth with mobile learning experimentation by:

Experimenting mobile learning during the delivery of FOR.COM.’sExperimenting mobile learning during the delivery of FOR.COM.’s institutional coursesinstitutional courses

Considering new fields of applicationConsidering new fields of application Transfer of mobile learning methodology to new sectors where the following is required:

- Efficiency, due to the possibility to personalize the training path- Wide accessibility and prompt usability- Autonomy and respect for personal commitments- Access to real time information in order to make appropriate decisions

Thank you for Thank you for listening!listening!

Federica FunghiFederica [email protected]@forcom.itPh: +39 06 37725515Ph: +39 06 37725515

funghi 23 ott 08

Education

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learning communities

learning portaltips2007

platforms elearning

learning forsmes managers

experienceof consorzio

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