4 Questions Every Teacher Should Ask About Mobile Learning
As we further develop technologically, it makes sense that our daily lives and spheres of society adapt and change to include our new technological breakthroughs. We live in a day and age where we carry around a device that grants us access to virtually anything we might need daily.
However, many think that our cellphones are nothing more than a distraction, something to pull us away from our work and education. Today, we will enlighten you about Mobile Learning, or M-Learning, to help you figure out if it is something you should incorporate in your practice.
What Is Mobile Learning?
Mobile learning, not to be confused with E-Learning, is taking education to the mobile world through smartphones and other portable devices. Conducting lessons online may have seemed like a farfetched dream 30, 20, or even 10 years ago. Today, it is viable and encouraged, as it can make education far more streamlined and accessible to all.
It allows teachers to connect and educate remotely and reach out to students who cannot always attend in-person lessons. Apps such as Pedagogue will enable you to communicate via their social media platform, do things such as host virtual classrooms, or distribute information in bite-sized pieces to simulate lessons via mobile.
Check With Your Students if Mobile Learning is Best for Them
Everyone is different, and everyone responds differently to various stimuli. Some students might take to the idea of mobile learning quickly and love the idea. Others might take some time to come around, or not respond well at all, which can be a huge detriment to their learning experience. Always ask if mobile learning is actually helping your students, or if it would be a hindrance, or even perhaps a gateway to distraction.
Consider Their Digital Literacy and Needs
Not everyone is tech-savvy, nor does everyone have the technological requirements for mobile learning. Before you try and adapt mobile learning into your teaching practices, ask your students if they understand what it entails and what they will need to do during these lessons.
Work with them to find the perfect medium that everyone has access to and understand. We recommend Pedagogue, as it can act as a great medium between student and teacher.
Consider Microlearning
Mobile learning is perfect for facilitating microlearning. Microlearning is all about making lessons bite-sized and focused on specific information that is tailored specifically to the subject at hand. It entails cutting down on all the coaching and jumping right in, as well as using alternate means to educate. Mobile Learning is perfect to practice microlearning. You can teach using smaller packets of information that will save time and resources.
Concluding Thoughts
So should you consider Mobile Learning? It entirely depends on your environment. After testing and communicating with your students, if this is an excellent course to follow, you can begin exploring the different ways to incorporate mobile learning. For more ideas you could adapt, read through this article.