MET:Handheld Devices in the 21st Century Classroom

This page was edited by Christina Luciak, Jonathon Brady-Patry, Shawn Lank, Christopher Sandor and Daphne Cockerill.

The 21st Century Classroom

Technology plays a large part in 21st century learning, and handheld devices in the classroom are enabling this shift to happen. Teachers are trying to find educational ways of allowing students to responsibly use their handheld devices in the classroom as well as Pedagogical communities are turning to mobile technologies for innovative learning methods. A variety of mobile handhelds are personalized and flexible and allow students to collaborate with others and synthesize information with their learning environment.

A 2013 study by TRU, supports handhelds for learning - "...if we meet children where they are we can leverage their use of mobile devices for powerful learning...Mobile technology can inspire and engage students by letting them lead their learning and supporting them in choosing and using the devices they know, love, and prefer," says Lisa Nielsen in The Innovative Educator.

OpenColleges graphically represents what they say a 21st century classroom might look like.

What is a Handheld Device and How Does it Fit into our Lives?

A handheld device (also known as a handheld computer, handheld, mobile internet device or mobile device) is "a small, hand-held computing device, typically having a display screen with touch input and/or a miniature keyboard and weighing less than 2 pounds (0.91 kg)." See: mobile device.

Evolving Quickly over Time

"Ubiquitous computing names the third wave in computing, just now beginning. First were mainframes, each shared by lots of people. Now we are in the personal computing era, person and machine staring uneasily at each other across the desktop. Next comes ubiquitous computing, or the age of calm technology, when technology recedes into the background of our lives." (Mark Weiser, 1988)

Before internet web browsing, handheld use in the classroom was limited and used primarily for word processing, file organization and computing math. Since 2000, the evolution in the design and capability of handheld devices has grown exponentially. Opportunities for both educators and students is continually emerging with the ability to connect instantaneously and from any location. In 2012, Google stated, "Up to 70% of Canadians use mobile devices."

Popular Handheld Devices (1990-1999)

Popular Handheld Devices (2000-2013)

Black 5th Generation iPod Touch 2012

Pushing the Boundaries of Traditional Classrooms

Educational Applications (Apps) for Hand Held Devices

File:Girl with handheld device.jpg

Teenager with mobile device.

Many of today’s instructors allow the use of handheld devices, tablet computers, smart phones and laptops in the classroom to enable students to participate in their own learning. IPads for example, allow teachers to "...have paperless classrooms, take attendance, share interactive presentations and test their students"

Image retrieved from: http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=14816&picture=teenager-with-smartphone

Learning Theories

"One definition that captures the dual perspectives of learner mobility and learning with portable technology is: Any sort of learning that happens when the learner is not at a fixed, predetermined location, or learning that happens when the learner takes advantage of the learning opportunities offered by mobile technologies. (O'Malley et al., 2003)"

Find more information about learning using mobile and handheld devices.

K3-K7 Classrooms

In the K-3 classroom, the iPad or tablet computer is very effective. The iPad is visually stimulating, intuitive and has hundreds of educational applications. iPad carts in schools ensure students in a classroom all have access to the devices. iPads are replacing books saving money for schools and keeping information current.

In the K-4 to K-7 classrooms, laptop computers and iPads are equally useful. Many students use these devices to engage in blogging activities as well as produce and research work. A students' learning shifts towards connectivity and collaboration with peers using handhelds devices {quote}.

Secondary School

At the secondary level, students in the classrooms use tablets, laptops as well as smart phones. Students gradually use these devices more in classrooms as more teachers embrace the use of handhelds to support learning. In the classroom, smart phones:

Access the internet.
Take pictures of assignments or notes.
Record language orals.
Text to replace student response systems such as “the clicker”.

Laptop computers are being used in much the same manner to connect with peers as well as produce work. iPads can help students:

Create videos and presentations.
Access the internet.
Connect with other students.

Post Secondary

Free wireless service and downloads of customized apps encourage students to access university resources such libraries, registration, and faculty. UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) states that "three-fourths of all college/university students have purchased or intend to purchase an Internet-enabled handheld device within the next year.[1]

Ming Nie, from the University of Leicester, states in his article, "Mobile/handheld devices are used in the following areas to support teaching/learning:

Students record interviews with informants.
Students record their own works e.g. oral examination, oral report, presentation, group discussion, etc. for tutor evaluation, peer evaluation, and self-evaluation.
Students listen to authentic audio materials e.g. music, speech, interview, vocabulary, audio book, poem, etc.
Students access multimedia materials e.g. movie, painting, photograph, documentary, visual glossary, etc.
Students refer to preloaded information in a field trip or field study.
Students produce their multimedia presentation, assignment, and project."

Distance Learning

Students doing distance learning can use mobile devices to access their course resources while commuting, from work or from home.

See: Handhelds in distance and online education.

Students doing homeschooling also use mobile devices.

Educational Applications (Apps) for Hand Held Devices

Image on the right retrieved from: http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.ca/2013/02/finally-research-based-proof-that.html

Benefits and Challenges of Handheld Devices in Classrooms

Benefits

Flexible and convenient - allows the student to access information anywhere, anytime.
Portable - students can use the devices in any classroom as well as outside of the classroom.
Community - allows students to connect with each other and can reinforce integration of different curriculum.
Communication - students, teachers and parents are able to connect instantaneously.
Support - handheld devices can enable and support those students who have learning difficulties.
Features - applications such as GPS

Challenges

Culture - while the culture of schools is changing in some classrooms handheld devices are still not allowed.
Control - handheld devices in the classroom mean giving up control in the classroom and this is worrisome for some.
Access - equal access to devices will always be a challenge in schools especially when students are asked to bring their own device.
Connectivity - to use handheld devices effectively in the classroom wireless connectivity in schools will be required.
Engagement - while handheld devices can help engage in the classroom they can also serve as distraction for some.

Resources

Handheld Devices in the 21st Century Classroom ([2]Video) by Rob Theriault

Educational Kids Apps for iPhone, iPod and iPad (2010) ABCya.com. Retrieved February 18, 2011 from http://www.abcya.com/educational_kids_iphone_ipad_apps.htm

Gliksman, S. (2011) iPads in Education. Exploring the Use of iPads and eBooks in Schools and Colleges. Retrieved February 26, 2011 from http://www.ipadeducators.ning.com/

iPad Curriculum (February, 2011) Retrieved February 26, 2011 from http://www.ipadcurriculum.com/2011/02

iPad Today (2011) Twit TV. Retrieved February 26, 2011 from http://www.twit.tv/ipt

Mobile Research Project (2010) Calgary Board of Education Learning Innovations. Retrieved February 18, 2011 from http://www.innovativelearning.ca/sec-learntech/webdig-mobile.asp

O'Malley, C., Vavoula, G., Glew, J.P., Taylor, J., Sharples, M. & Lefrere, P. (2003) Guidelines for Leanring/Teaching/Tutoring in a Mobile Environment. MOBIlearn project report. Available online: http://www.mobilearn.org/download/results/guidelines.pdf

The Historical Association: The Voice for History. (2011)Online CDP Units. Retrieved July 2, 2011 from http://www.history.org.uk/resources/secondary_resource_3115_11.html

References

Apple in Education (2013) Retrieved March 02, 2013 from http://www.apple.com/ca/education/apps/

Bereiter, C., & Scardamalia, M. (1994). Computer support for knowledge-building communities. The Journal of the Learning Sciences, 3(3), 265-283. Retrieved February 26, 2011 from http://www.jstor.org/pss/1466822

Buckleitner, W. (2010) Is the iPad a Child's Best Friend? New York Times, Gadgetwise Blog. Retrieved February 20, 2011 from http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/30/is-the-ipad-a-kids-best-friend/

Chih-Kai, C. (2010). Acceptability of an asynchronous learning forum on mobile devices. Behaviour & Information Technology, 29(1), 23-33. doi:10.1080/01449290701806337

Davis, J., & Rocchio, R. A. (2011). Mobile: Letting Go of the Device and Building for Innovation. EDUCAUSE Review, 46(2), 40-42,.

Education Week Teacher PD Sourcebook . (October , 2010 11). Retrieved February 22nd, 2012, from Education Week: http://www.edweek.org/tsb/articles/2010/10/12/01panel.h04.html

Fang, B. (2009). From Distraction to Engagement: Wireless Devices in the Classroom. Retrieved February 28th , 2012, from Educause Quarterly: http://www.educause.edu/EDUCAUSE+Quarterly/EDUCAUSEQuarterlyMagazineVolum/FromDistractiontoEngagementWir/192959

Glencoe/McGraw-Hill. (2006). Education Up Close:Handheld Devices Make Inroads in the Classroom. Retrieved July 2, 2011 from http://www.glencoe.com/sec/teachingtoday/educationupclose.phtml/14

Nie, Ming (August 2006). The Potential Use of Mobile/Handheld Devices, Audio/Podcasting Material in Higher Education – A draft review (August 2006) Retreived March 3, 2013 from www.cmr-journal.org/article/download/70/27

Nielsen, Lisa (2013, February 16). Finally! Research-based Proof that Students Use Cell Phones for Learning. Retrieved March 3, 2013 from http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.ca/2013/02/finally-research-based-proof-that.html

Polsson, K. (2003). Chronology of handheld computers. Retrieved February 19, 2011 from http://www.islandnet.com/~kpolsson/handheld/

Scardamalia, M (2004) What is the Next Revolution in Education Going to Be? Retrieved February 26, 2011 from http:/www.mediaspace.oise.utoronto.ca/experts/april2004/mscardamalia300.mov

Shepherd, J. (2011, October 30th ). The Guardian. Retrieved February 24th, 2012, from The Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/oct/30/smartphones-handheld-computers-battleground-schools

Song, Y. (2007). Educational Uses of Handheld Devices: What are the Consequences?. TechTrends. 51, 38 - 45.

Summers, N. (2009). History of the personal digital assistant. Retrieved February 11, 2011 from http://www.newsweek.com/photo/2009/01/07/history-of-the-personal-digital-assistant.html

Topp, N. (2009). Handheld Use in Schools: Why, When and How. Retrieved July 2, 2011 from http://www.unomaha.edu/coe/moec/handhelds/chapter1.htm

What is Handheld Learning? (n.d.). Retrieved February 17th , 2012, from Hertfordshire Grid for Learning - Learning and Teaching: http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/ict/technologies/handheld/

What are the Benefits of eBooks (2011) An eBook Primer. Retrieved February 17, 2011 from http://www.ereader.com/ereader/help/intro.htm

When Learning Goes Mobile (2013). Retrieved March 01, 2013 from http://www.slideshare.net/mebner/when-learning-goes-mobile