Mobile LearningJanet L. Ochs

Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3)

Definition• Mobile Learning – “the intersection of mobile

computing (the application of small, portable, and wireless computing and communication devices) and e-learning (learning facilitated and supported through the use of information and communications technology)”.

Source: Based on definition by Clark Quinn, PhD, retrieved August 24, 2009 from Are You Ready for Mobile Learning? by Corbeil, J. and Valdes-Corbeil, M. located at www.educause.edu/Educause+Quarterly/EDUCAUSEQuarterlyMagazineVolum/ AreYouReadyforMobileLearning/157455

Teacher’s View of Mobile Devices

Photo Source: Creative commons Flickr.com matsuyuki

“What the cynics fail to understand is that the

ground has shifted beneath them.”

Source: Barack Obama’s Inaugural address

Because the World is Mobile

Photo Source: Creative commons Flickr.com Keng’s photostream

Thailand 2005

We have a Communication Problem

Photo Source: Creative commons Flickr.com Mzelle Biscotte

Student E-mail Usage

Classroom Student Survey

• Students want text messages, not e-mail– Fall 2008 – 60%– Spring 2009 – 92%

The Survey Says…

Photo Source: Creative commons Flickr.com Annie Mole’s photo stream

The Solution

RAVE Web Based Software• Access RAVE using the

Computer – Send text messages to

students– Send e-mail at the same

time

Photo Source: Creative commons Flickr.com Jesse757’s photostream

I can use my laptop to send text

messages and e-mail at the same time.

One more Problem

• Majority of Student cell phones – Lack Internet Access

• Data plans are – Cost Prohibitive

You Can’t Take it With You

Photo Source: Creative commons Flickr.com James F. Clay

The Solution• Wireless iPod Touch• No Monthly fees• Connects to internet

like a laptop

$ 229.00

iPod Touch registered trademark Apple

What does it mean?

• Student cell phone combined with iPod touch• Provides same functionality as a laptop

Mobile Learning is a Reality• Clark “predicted that mobile learning would one day

provide learning that was truly independent of time and place and facilitated by portable computers capable of providing rich interactivity, total connectivity, and powerful processing.”

Source: Based on prediction by Clark Quinn, PhD, retrieved August 24, 2009 from Are You Ready for Mobile Learning? by Corbeil, J. and Valdes-Corbeil, M. located at

www.educause.edu/Educause+Quarterly/EDUCAUSEQuarterlyMagazineVolum/AreYouReadyforMobileLearning/157455

Source: Creative commons Flickr.com Leststalkdotcom photostreamBabcock, C. (2009) Why Windows Must Go Open Source Information Week Feb. 2, 2009

Are you ready?

• Gates said “Mobile phones are the PCs of the future.”

This is your wake up call