Introduction
If we today ask students what is required for good learning, they may subjective mention areas like
- training methods that enhance communication in class
- use of educational principles that promote interaction in class
- learning environments where it is easy and fast to respond to teachers and instructors presentations
- to be connected with other students in and outside the classroom
- teachers that know the curriculum, and set learning goals
These notions are music to the ears of many students.
If we today ask teachers what is required for good learning, many educators are likely to mention
- engaged students that ask questions, though the classes are huge and communication is lacking
- students that discuss ideas and collaborate in finding solutions, though it is hardly time to make notes or promote interaction in class
- problem based learning for inclusion of real world descriptions, though lessons focus on theory and it is challenging to respond during lessons
- learning experiences that let students immerse and analyze in order to gain higher order thinking skills, though too many are still challenged with remembering, understanding and applying their previous knowledge
Such notions are still music in the ears of many teachers and instructors.
On the other hand, how many really good teachers did each of us meet during our studies ?
It is actually a fact for most of us, that we immediately know this answer. It ends up with a very small number. Why? What happened?
Our young generation is born into and developed under a digital wave, whereby use of mobile technology is a fully integrated and normalized aspect of their lives. Modern students use new media in new ways to create new things (it affects how they think), learn new things (it affects how they work), and communicate with new people (it affects how they live). They use mobile phones everywhere, but not at school!
Would it seem terrible strange to hear that knowledge gathering may be enhanced and boosted by using mobile learning methods that utilize students own Smartphones?
