Hello Everyone.
Mobile learning for Geography 2290 – Advanced Geomorphology – has taken a two part approach. Early in the year – Sept – , the second lab assignment for the course was a three week assignment involving two field trips, collection of stream flow data, lab analysis of two river deposits and final write up of the material. The idea for mobile learning was that information collected in the field would be shared amongst members of the class so that everyone could a) have the information, b) analyse and interpret it and c) present it in a clear concise manner. I should note that half the students went on one field trip and half on the other. I deliberately posted some of the material detailing lab techniques used to analyse the data on the class blog and only on the class blog as a way to get the students to log on and get use to this particular format. The results were not very encouraging. Only a few students – 3 out of 27 – actually logged on. Only two made a comment. It seems that those who did log on simply downloaded the information and brought it to class for themselves and the other students. Any questions pertaining to this lab assignment were simply raised in class in person. So, mobile learning was not a huge hit.
My mention of the second part of the course to include mobile learning – the seminars – was greeted with indifference by most and outright hostility by one. One student, an older student, did not like the idea of a blog. He/she perceived it as an extra effort with little benefit. I think the students would prefer it if I just gave them the information; after all the blog does require some extra effort. I’m also beginning to realize that students in general, while they may be good at facebook and texting, are not really all that good at other computer applications. What’s more if it doesn’t immediately attract their attention they quickly lose interest.
Anyway, I’m now into the second part of my mobile learning experiment. In the latter part of my Geog 2290 course I do a seminar. Here is where I break the class into small groups. Each group selects a topic and some reading material related to the class. I read it, the group reads it and then I meet with the group to discuss the content of the material. It’s often new material for me and the discussion can be fun and informative. This week I’m starting the final seminar meetings. In the meantime I’ve told each member of each group that they have to post one question related to the reading on the blog. Once questions are posted, I or someone else will respond with an answer. So far it’s only been me, but the responses, while limited have been encouraging. Students are actually using the blog to some effect.
So, part one of my two part mobile learning experiment was not very successful. Part two is in progress with an encouraging start. As each group finish their seminar I will ask them for input into the use of mobile devices in a learning environment.
More to follow.
Cheers,
Mark Smith
Geography Dept