Mobile Learning: Are you Ready

The wave of mobile learning is coming and it is building momentum. Already across the world, teachers and students are experimenting with different ways to utilize phones, ipods, and tablets in the classroom environment. Though these instruments still remain classified as “experimental” in the classroom, the immediate future may begin to require such devices to participate in class and other activities.

Personally always been a fan of the technology and gadgets. However, throughout most of my undergraduate courses, I had the average cell phone without data, email, or web. I held to a personal philosophy that until I could make it productive and not just entertaining, then I would decide to upgrade. Even after my recent purchase of a certain popular trendy phone, it took a few months to get acquainted with the PRODUCTIVE applications and uses. Now, there really is “an app for that” (for everything).

Faculty will continue to way the pros and cons of implementing such devices in the classroom. A large and immediate deterrent is cost. The cost of the devices, and for some reoccurring monthly fees, is a large sum of money for students. However, the growing popularity and likelihood that a majority of the classroom will have a smart phone with a data plan is increasing. Some students may be waiting for the necessity to upgrade.

For those students who do have a “smartphone,” you should start to get acquainted with what your phone can offer. Undergraduate nursing students should be searching for the apps that help with school related tasks such as studying, clinical aids, test taking, and more. Most schools are updating their versions of BlackBoard allowing you to access course content on your phone. Graduate students should look for apps that assist with research focuses activities such as PDF readers, online storage, rss feeds and others.

Personally, I am still learning to maximize productivity on my phone, tablet, and laptop computer. Currently, in graduate school, I am finding that my phone is best for quickly browsing rss feeds, taking notes, and checking emails. The tablet be best being utilized as a PDF reader, with an app that allows for highlighting and other annotations. Additionally, I use my tablet for following discussion boards and proof reading my own papers. The laptop still remains as the workhorse for assignments and a majority of school work. The key is using services such as Google Docs or DropBox to link (sync) all your devices with the same data. Once you find the setup you like, test it out for at least a few months, and return to the web to see if other improvements or competitors offer a better system.

For more info for students, visit AllNurse.com Mobile Discussion Board or SmartPhones for Nurses

For more info for faculty, please see reference article.


Reference Article

Skiba, D. (2011). On the horizon mobile devices: are they a distraction or another learning tool?. Nursing Education Perspectives, 32(3), 195-197.   PMID:21834383