Educational Technologies-Mobile Learning

In today’s information age, technology is everywhere with iPads, tablets, and smartphones and they are important part of our daily lives.  I know lots of people who are addicted to these devices and cannot spend even an hour without them especially young people who belong to Y and Z generation.  Therefore, for me, it makes sense to use it in an educational setting.

As an EFL instructor, I would allow students to use their smartphones instead of banning the use of it because I believe smartphones have the power to  facilitate and enhance learning.  For instance, by using Blackboard application on their smartphones, students can reach their daily or weekly assignments, grades, and e-mails anytime and anywhere or having an internet connection, students can do online research may be instead of going to the library which will save time in their fast paced lives. “Students now have the ability to do research on a topic within the class” from the internet that is provided on their smart phones (Dykes, 2012).  Moreover, smartphones can be used to keep in touch with the instructor which helps to build connection between the students and the instructor.  For instance, students can get quick feedback from their instructor through their twitter or facebook accounts.  While searching for ways in order to incorporate smartphone use in the classroom, I found an application named pollcode in which the instructor poses a poll question with some answers, 30 at most.  After that, what students need to do is type their answers and send it through their smartphones to the instructor. After each student responded, I believe using pollcode in class as an application will engage the whole class  The URL for the application is www.pollcode.com .

Portable technological devices such as tablet and iPads  have made students’ learning more engaging and interactive.  “Tablets are especially suited for today’s fast-paced, modern learning environments and tablet versions of textbooks, with interactive and visual tools for teachers” (Rock, 2013).  In my EFL setting, I have some students who prefer using the tablet version of the textbook and as far as I observed they seem more interested and engaged in the lesson.

 

References

Dykes, T., (2012) Smartphones as educational tools in the classroom. Retrieved fromhttp://www.insidehalton.com/iphone/opinion/article/1520592–smartphones-as-educational-tools-in-the-classroom

Pollcode. (2013). Pollcode Frequently asked Questions. In Pollcode. Retrieved January 31, 2013,   from http://pollcode.com/faq.html

Rock, M. , (2013). The future of education: tablets vs. textbooks. Retrieved from  http://m.mobiledia.com/news/136174.html