mlearning+myths+survey

Survey results


 * 1 ||  || **Learning on the go is effective.** ||||||||   || 20 ||
 * ||  |||||||||| Agree || 19 ||
 * ||  |||||||||| Don't agree || 1 ||
 * 2 ||  || **Technology reduces training cost.** ||||||||   || 20 ||
 * ||  |||||||||| Agree || 7 ||
 * ||  |||||||||| Don't agree || 13 ||
 * 3 ||  || **Kids are excited about learning with mobile technology.** ||||||||   || 19 ||
 * ||  |||||||||| Agree || 15 ||
 * ||  |||||||||| Don't agree || 4 ||

I extracted the statements fro a recent research entitled "Mobile Instruction Technologies and the Culture of Education."[1] There are some myths underlying educational technology. It makes education 1. cheaper 2. more accessible anytime, anywhere 3. more effective

It surprised me that “digital natives” do not consider an ipod for learning. So we are wrong when we say “let’s meet our kids where they are”, since they use ipods already, let’s integrate ipods in our education and our kids will be all engaged and excited about learning. This research showed that more than 90% of uses were related to entertainment or social connection instead of learning.

Another assumption is that being “nomads” this generation of learners can and want to learn on the go. In this study when students used their iPods for learning they did it mostly at home or at school. They found it hard to focus on learning in other environments. While on the go, they used iPods for entertainment, such as listening to music instead.

Another aspect that stood out for me was how the mobile content was handled. Teachers created content as they thought appropriate and students were told the mobile content is optional. The article does not detail what experience the teachers had in this study. Students commented negatively on formatting (power point presentation on small screen) and lack of integration of material (teacher never referred to the material in other teaching conditions).

Caron, André. and Caronia, Letizia. **"Mobile Instruction Technologies and the Culture of Education: An Empirical Study on the Appropriation of iPods"**Paper presented at the annual meeting of the International Communication Association, TBA, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, May 21, 2008 Online.2010-12-17