COE hosts mobile teaching summit

Educators learned the power and potential of mobile learning devices as the College of Education hosted a Mobile Learning and Teaching Summit, the first at Lehigh.

Teachers, principals, guidance counselors and instructional coaches were invited to the day-long summit, which highlighted the potential of apps, educational games and other online resources in engaging students in the sciences, math, history and writing.

Sessions focused on digital storytelling, tablet-friendly science and math resources, GPS units for geography, visual note-taking, iPad use for language development and other initiatives.

Scott Garrigan, professor of practice of instructional technology and teacher technology, delivered the keynote address, titled “Personal Mobile Technology Changes Everything!” Here, Garrigan explains how mobile technology is empowering teachers and students alike.

Q. How is mobile technology changing education?

Education works within a larger social context and community; school attempts to prepare students to be successful in that community. Within this larger community context, it is clear that mobile technology such as personal cell phones, iPads, and Kindles are a valuable part of nearly every family. It's the way we do business and entertain ourselves. Outside of school, it also is the way many of us educate ourselves by viewing educational content or interacting with learning games.

Some nations like Uruguay have already provided every child with a mobile computer so they can learn at home as well as at school. Until recently most school systems banned personal mobile student technology, but schools are beginning to see how the learning opportunities of personal mobile devices are undeniable. The large school districts of New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles have recently reversed their bans on mobile devices.

We can expect two fundamental changes that personal mobile technology will foster in education. The first is the expectation that one of your learning devices is always with you, that you can learn at any time or place. The second is that teachers and schools can better incorporate powerful video, interactive and collaborative activities in their lessons both in and out of school.

Q. What about costs?

Technology used to be expensive, but prices continue to drop. Shoebox-sized cell phones that only government and business leaders could afford are now owned by many students, and smartphones also serve as TV, computer and game console.

School employees and their time are expensive. That's why many teachers are maximizing their classroom time by "flipping" their classroom. The teachers create short lessons for students to access at home through their computer or phone to prepare them for more challenging classwork the next day. Schools in India are piloting the Aakash 3 tablet computer, similar to an iPad Mini, which costs only $40 to produce.

Teacher-made content or free high-quality content like that from the Khan Academy (khanacademy.org) does not add to the school or family budget. Some schools, such as the nearby Parkland School District, allow students to bring their own devices to school just as they bring their own paper and pencils. A portable computer, iPad or smartphone is simply a 21st-century learning tool that every student needs.

Q. You’ve said that mobile devices empower students and teachers. How so?

Your mobile learning device is always with you and always connected to the world's learning resources. Students and teachers are empowered to learn and teach not only at school, but at home, on the bus, at a coffee or snack shop, or even while traveling. Few students would carry heavy textbooks when they don't have to, but most carry their mobile devices everywhere. They can also get help from teachers or other students through the social media applications that are the glue for social and family interaction outside of school. As e-books become more interactive and as better learning games are produced, the mobile device will become an essential part of learning both in and out of school.

Q. Is there any research to support whether mobile devices enhance learning?

There's lots of research that documents students learning from mobile devices, but it isn't the "mobile device" that produces learning. That's like saying that blackboards enhance learning. High-quality video lessons like the Khan Academy and other learning content and interactive activities can enhance learning, especially when it is done under the guidance of a good teacher or parent. A related question might be, does access to the world's knowledge in text and video enhance learning?

Q. What school support is needed?

No school support is needed for two significant components. First, schools can acknowledge that personal mobile devices can be powerful learning tools that are welcome in schools, as long as they are not used disruptively. Second, teachers can be encouraged to try flipping their classroom or to assign online collaborative projects for homework.

If there's a concern that students don't have access, the school can provide low-cost mobile devices to needy students or the teachers can make such assignments optional. In other words, you may watch a Khan Academy video or read the textbook pages that cover the same topic. One of the attractions of personal mobile technologies is that the support and network structure is already in place through the home and community, so the school does not have to bear much of the burden.

By Mary Ellen Alu