User:Sam.Cowger1/Technology integration

Mobile Learning - Gabby Dugan

           Mobile learning, better known as m-learning, is a method of learning educational content through mobile devices. These devices are offered as tools for providing information, different opinions/ perspectives, educational entertainment, connecting users, note taking, access to documents, online books, and so much more. There are four key aspects of mobile learning devices that should be accounted for when using these learning activities, which are input, sensing, output, and connectivity. Input ways are touch, voice, keyboard input, and more. Sensing is navigating by touch screen, camera, microphones, or GPS. Output includes the screen, speakers, and earphones. Finally, the connectivity aspect is how the device connects to either networks or other operating applications (Sophonhiranrak 2021.)

Background History of Mobile Learning

Mobile learning has changed drastically throughout the years. As years progressed, technology got more advanced and got more recognition for the uses of them which grew into mobile learning opportunities. The term m-learning became recognized in 2005. M-learning was typically used to channel e-learning methods and techniques. As this transition occurred, it quickly became clear that mobile devices like cell phones and PDAs, personal digital assistants, had significant drawbacks compared to desktop computers. These very early mobile technologies included limitations of smaller screen sizes, reduced processing power, battery life, and often less reliable internet access, making it difficult to deliver the same level of educational content and interactivity that was previously possible on desktop computers. As years passed, smartphones began to have the same application and Web functionalities. During this time having technology for education was expensive, but colleges did find that students owning these devices cut additional school costs entirely. In 2006, ultra-mobile PC’s were introduced as mobile versions of a laptop, but soon to be overpowered by major known tablets today like the iPad in 2010 . As years progressed, the idea of m-learning continued to develop. It offers contingent learning, situated learning, authentic learning, context-aware learning, and personalized learning(Crompton 2013.) In today's world, m-learning has changed education, empowering learners to engage with content anytime and anywhere, and having a more inclusive and personalized approach to learning, which will only advance over time.

Advantages and Disadvantages

           The widespread use of technology affects the way we live our everyday lives. This could mean both in a positive and negative way. Since mobile learning has had increased popularity and extensively, it has different advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of mobile learning include the ability to access anywhere and anytime, the amount and variety of content on the internet, joining online communities, the flexibility it allows, engages and encourages students, and allows students to be tested on their knowledge. (Ricci 2023.) However, there are also many disadvantages. When working with the internet, comes with many technical, software, and hardware issues. This can cause interruptions and setbacks while learning on mobile devices. Another very common one is distraction. When students have access to a mobile device for learning puts distractions and misuse at risk as they can easily go to social media, messages, take pictures, play any digital video games, and more, defeating the purpose of those said devices (Ricci 2023.) It is important to have a balance of in person and online learning. M-learning does provide opportunities for connecting with others online, however too much of this can cause lack of meaningful social interaction. In summary, while m-learning offers many advantages like accessibility and engagement, it also presents many challenges both students and instructors should be aware of.  

Sam Cowger - In a generation where technology affects every aspect of our lives, the use of technology has begun to become more than a small idea; it has turned into a necessity for many individuals. In the article titled “Technology Integration” by Wikipedia this article dives into the immense challenges, the various benefits, and the improvements that technology integration has shown throughout the past years. More and more businesses, as well as education institutions and settings have begun to incorporate technology more frequently. Technology integration has become a priority for many businesses to incorporate and use in their day-to-day jobs.

Technology Integration Increasing Students Academic Scores: Furthermore, the first main point that will be addressed is how technology integration in an academic setting has increased the success in their student’s academic progress. My plan is to strengthen this section through adding to the information that is already there with the outside source I have. In the Wikipedia article titled “Benefits”, this section goes into various benefits that students will receive by involving technology integration into their academic progress. One main benefit that stood out to me right away was that involving technology integration in an educational setting can keep students on task and focused for a longer period of time. I found this specific fact very interesting as well as valuable. Also, in an outside article I found titled “Students, Computers, and Learning: Making the Connection”, by OECDiLibrary this article also dives into the benefits of technology integration in the classroom. Continuously, in the article the authors dive into the statistical reports on how incorporating technology in the classroom helps students who are at an academic risk to improve their academic performance. I plan to continue to add more and more information from this article into the paragraph already written out in the Wikipedia article.

Interactive Whiteboards and the Advantages: Similarly, the second main point that will be addressed is how interactive whiteboards and digital displays can enhance classroom instruction and learning for both students and educators. In the Wikipedia article the authors go into detail about the immense benefits and the importance of incorporating interactive whiteboards as well as digital displays. I also plan to strengthen this paragraph by incorporating more information from my secondary sources. In one of the outside sources that I found titled "The Ultimate Guide to Interactive Whiteboards in the Classroom. Interactive Whiteboards in the Classroom by parmetech.com this article gives us a shift of perspective. In this article there are other teachers from various states that share their experiences about using interactive whiteboards as well as digital displays. I plan to use information from this specific source and other various articles to strengthen the paragraph that is already provided in Wikipedia.

References

Crompton, Helen. (2013). A historical overview of mobile learning: Toward learner-centered

education.

Ricci. (2023, February 20). Mobile learning benefits: The advantages of learning on-the-go.

eLearning Industry.

Sophonhiranrak, S. (2021, April 8). Features, barriers, and influencing factors of mobile

learning in Higher Education: A systematic review. Heliyon.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8045005/

(2014, September 10). Technology Can Close Achievement Gaps, Improve Learning. Stanford, Graduate School of Education. Technology can close achievement gaps, improve learning | Stanford GSE

Patten, Becca (2023, July 17). The Ultimate Guide to Interactive Whiteboards in the Classroom. Interactive Whiteboards in the Classroom - The Ultimate Guide (parmetech.com)