One of nine short presentations created by Aga Palalas for the M4D m-Learning MOOC - https://www.m4d-mooc.org. This one focuses on the pedagogy of mobile learning. You can watch a corresponding webinar at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMQ5nFV5ecA&feature=player_detailpage

1. Mobile Learning: Pedagogy
Dr. Agnieszka (Aga) Palalas
Prepared for M4D MOOC – October 2013
https://www.m4d-mooc.org/portal

2. Mobile Learning: Pedagogy
Outcome:
To identify effective m-learning pedagogical
practices that integrate existing learning and
teaching theories and approaches while
recognizing the pedagogical nuances of mobile
learning.

3. Characteristics of M-Learning
•
Portable and flexible
•
Student-centred
•
Personal, private and familiar
•
Complex and fragmented
•
Chunked-up > on-off > spaced over time
•
Pervasive and ubiquitous: formal + informal

4. Benefits of M-Learning 1/2
•
•
•
Fit into the lives of learners (productive ‘dead’ time)
Immediacy of communication (incl. speech and data-sharing)
Enhanced access to learning (dispersed communities , isolated
situations)
•
•
•
Access to experts and peers on-the-go
Perceived as an acceptable way for learners to
receive reminders and chasers (time management)
Bite-sized e-learning resources delivered to learners
(field practice, work-based learning)
•
Abstract (representational) and concrete (environmentally-situated)
knowledge integrated
Modified from http://www.jiscinfonet.ac.uk/infokits/mobile-learning/why-mobile-learning
4

5. Benefits of M-Learning 2/2
•
Active experiential learning
•
Contextualized learning
•
Capturing data, record of learning processes
•
Authentic content and challenge
•
Learning across contexts
•
New learning environments
•
Learner autonomy
•
Flexible collaboration
•
Accessible (special educational needs)…
5

6. Types of Learning
•
Behaviourist
•
Constructivist
•
Situated
•
Collaborative
•
Informal and lifelong
•
Supported
(Naismith, Sharples, Vavoula, & Lonsdale; 2004)
…contingent on needs and context

7. Pedagogy
Away from:
• Instructionalism
• Behaviourism
Toward the blend:
• Authentic
• Contextual
• Collaborative, connected
• Personalized
• Active and meaningful
• Guided by experts
• Supported by experts and peers
• Engaging and empowering
7

8. Case Study
•
Mobile-Assisted Language Learning
•
College English as a Second Language students
•
Augmenting in-class with authentic practice
•
>> Ecological
Constructivism
(Figure modified from Palalas, 2012)

9. Thank you!
Dr. Agnieszka Palalas
aga@epluslearning.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/apalalas
Presentations: http://www.slideshare.net/agaiza
Publications: http://athabascau.academia.edu/apalalas
•
References:
– Naismith, L., Sharples, M., Vavoula, G., & Lonsdale, P. (2004). Literature review in
mobile technologies and learning.
– Palalas, A. (2012). Design guidelines for a mobile-enabled language learning system
supporting the development of ESP listening skills. Doctoral dissertation.
Athabasca, Canada: Athabasca University. Retrieved from
http://hdl.handle.net/10791/17 .