MLEARNAn international project to embed mobile technologies

within mainstream learningby providing trainingon hand-held devices

for teachersfor teachers

www.m-learn.eu

Teaching the teachers...

Mlearning refers to the use of mobile technology in teaching and learning. Technologies range from mobile phones to games consoles, low cost laptops to media players. 90% of teenagers own some sort of personal media device. This may be an MP3 player, mobile phone, tablet etc. It is a technology that young people know and enjoy. They use them for entertainment, to communicate, to create and share. However, on the whole these devices are banned in schools. The aim of mlearn is to use mobile devices are banned in schools. The aim of mlearn is to use mobile technologies to aid teaching and learning, embracing rather than discouraging handheld technology. Teachers are crucial change makers and, if trained to use mobile technology confidently and effectively in the classroom, can transform learning and teaching in every subject area. Within our partnership, we will set up training on mlearning within initial teacher training and in training for existing teachers. We will challenge teachers to think for existing teachers. We will challenge teachers to think creatively about mobile learning and develop their confidence to try new ideas within the whole school curriculum.

MLearn objectives are to:

• Integrate the use of handheld technologies as a recognised and accepted learning tool within school education (primarysecondary and special schools) • Embed the use of handheld technologies within teacher training programmes • Pilot the training programme with teachers in primarysecondary and special schools • Enable teachers to use their new skills and competences by • Enable teachers to use their new skills and competences by piloting handheld technologies inside and outside of the classroom in a school based project in subjects and activities of their choice • Explore the accreditation of the programme as a Comenius in-service training programme

The MLearn Programme:

A training needs analysis will establish need and guide project development. • Training will initially be provided for 5 expert teachers (1 from each country) who have knowledge and experience of using ICT in the classroom. • Equipment will be provided for each partner country, to be • Equipment will be provided for each partner country, to be shared with the teachers and schools in the pilot project. • The expert teachers will recruit a minimum of 10 teachers in each country to be trained, from primary, secondary and special schools and in at least 5 different subjects. • Following the cascading of training, all teachers will produce a case study in their own language and in English. • Handheld technologies will be used in up to 10 different schools • Handheld technologies will be used in up to 10 different schools reaching initially at least 150 pupils in each country. • Each partner will ensure that the results of the project are shared in their own country with at least 100 teachers. • Research and evaluation will form a vital part of the project, to ensure that the pilot is cost-effective and delivers quality results.

The Partners:

Education is always based on the interaction between a teacher and a student. What changes is how they use the tools available.

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the authorand the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information

contained therein.