MOBILE LEARNING
M3U5A1
In this informative age, Mobile Learning (ML) is a new
emerging term and approach
which has been promoted to reach its full potential in some schools around the
world. In this reflection, I am going to share my own experience and perspectives
about ML.
Understand what ML is helps to use it properly. ML is a form of
distance education which allows mobile learners use personal electronic devices
at their time convenience to access learning through social and content
interactions. The non-stop development and advancement of mobile devices has
sparked this innovation and paved the way for ML.
In my personal life, before switching to use smart phones, I was
totally blind with its functions. I used to think simply that phones should be
used for calling and chatting. I could not imagine there are so many components
packed in such a light and fashionable device. As an Art teacher, I like taking
photos and recording exciting or engaging moments of my students. My iphone is
an integral tool which has accompanied me every day at class and helped me to
create my LS Art site quickly. With Ipad, I also enjoy similar functions. In my
personal use, mobile devices are the best for connecting with family and
friends, for reading updated ebooks, for quick checking emails and news, and
for taking photos and videos at site.
When studying this module, I gained a lot of take away
strategies which can be implementing in my teaching. The ultimate purpose of
using mobile devices is to help student learn in a more engaging and effective
way; and to help teachers achieve their teaching purpose in a more dynamic and
efficient way. I consider myself in a beginner level of this learning journey,
yet I witnessed a positive light shed via my experiment with a small group of
students. My activity was about taking digital portraits, which will be
followed by symmetrical portrait study for grade 3. While using devices,
students explored new functions in Ipad by themselves and with peers
collaboratively. According to their reflection, this activity was exciting,
fun, and completely different with what they used to learn in Visual Arts
before. Students were allowed to shoot photos outside in the playground, but
they followed my advices respectfully when I demonstrate how to get enough
natural light for good quality photos. Looking at their shiny smiles and
interesting position, I knew that I was doing something right in my teaching
practice.
In my future lesson plans in Visual Arts, mobile devices will be
considered as a powerful tool to help students learn personally and meaningfully and make connections
with the visual life surrounding them. There are some plans I will integrate
technology and ML in my teaching subject. Firstly, as mentioned in the example
above, students learn about symmetrical portraits using their own digital
portraits. The same activity will be used for final artworks to create a digital
class photo book. Secondly, making videos to demonstrate some art skills as a
flip classroom is my next goal. It becomes critical and helpful in our current
situation after the attack on March 13, in Cote D’Ivoire where the school was
closed for the security reason. Thirdly, recording students’ voices and their artworks
is a perfect way to either interpret the meaning of artworks or make lively art
stories for young artists. One example I found inspired by the website Ipadartroom.com, students make some animals
with clay and place them on scenes using papers and decoration, where their
stories take place.
Like Matt Ramirez said in his blog about taking Hollywood to learning,
“the technology currently being employed in Hollywood is sure to have an impact
in the classrooms and lecture halls of the future”, using a simple iPad app by
visual effects company to frame shots on location, in combination with a 3D structure sensor to measure camera
depth. This allowed the filmmakers to load their dinosaur models into the
program and stick them onto the live image, so they could ‘see’ where the
dinosaur would be, including judging depth, height and angle. It is amazing to
think that AR is being used so prominently in top production studios – and what
this could mean for education. Imagine a similar tool for ‘seeing’ models in
such diverse disciplines as theatre direction, lighting, product design,
architecture and construction. Such an application would allow the learner to
quite quickly present stunning visualizations and also help them to pre-empt
any potential design problems, enabling them to explore alternatives without
having to invest significant time and money in creating complex physical
models.
For those who struggle
with mathematics and do not really realize subject relatable to anything in
life, visual effects will be the most powerful tool, and hearing about
real-life situations where theoretical maths has been applied will make the
subject much more digestible. Grounding theoretical mathematics in something
authentic, tangible and genuinely interesting can help to inspire students and
hold their attention especially when represented in such a visual way. Scientific
processes and algorithms could be translated into highly visual effects, from
multi-resolution geometric transfer that allow animators to switch between high
and low detailed dinosaur models, to the procedural animation technology that
went into creating the microbots movement.
However, ML has some typical principles which require supports
from school management level or policy and teachers’ experience, training and
open-mindset. Since it has been new adopted and kind of fashionable and luxury
ways of learning, at least in this country where any machine can be double or
triple priced comparing with the same ones in the States or in Europe. On the
other hand, lack of trained or using knowledge and a secured control may cause serious
concerns and as its result, no mobile devices to school and at class are
allowed for LS students.
Excitement and engagement are two guaranteed factors teachers
can be sure when using mobile devices at class. Students in this digital age,
at least in my school, are equipped or have access to mobile devices at home in
their leisure time. They can play hours with their devices without feeling
bored and don’t mind bothering others. If mobile devices are used for their
leisure time, why they cannot be used for their learning time?
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