Learning Journey Made Mobile

From RSCWMWiki

Stimulating the use of Mobile Technologies in Work Based Learning

Contents 1 Introduction 2 Project Contacts 3 Learning Journey Made Mobile Report 4 Project Documentation 5 Key Dates 6 Planning Tools and Checklists 7 Mobile Devices Information Sheets 8 Other Links and Information

Introduction

This wiki page holds all of the information relating to the Regional Support Centre West Midlands, Mobile Learning project. Should you have any questions about any aspect of this project please contact Theresa Welch or Jason Curtis using the details below.

Why did we want to run this project?

RSC West Midlands initiated this new Mobile Project earlier this year to explore and potentially increase the use of mobile technologies in the work based learning sector. This involved awarding successful bidders small amounts of funding which could be used to buy mobile devices that would enhance aspects of the learner journey.

The eleven successful applicants that were chosen to take part have now purchased and evaluated their chosen mobile devices and reported their findings back to us. The report below summarises what these providers found, highlighting what technology they bought, what were the main challenges, what benefits were gained and what their plans are now after using their chosen device. The illustration offers a snapshot of what was bought by the group and shows just how varied their choice of technology was. The table also offers a summary of the perceived benefits of using these various devices.

Project Contacts

For any queries relating to this project please contact Theresa Welch or Jason Curtis as below:

• Theresa Welch, eLearning Advisor - Work Based Learning, Tel: 01902 518976, theresa.welch@rsc-wm.ac.uk

• Jason Curtis, Learning Technologies & Information Officer, Tel: 01902 518986, jason.curtis@rsc-wm.ac.uk

For queries about case studies:

• Kirsty Hill, Information Officer, Tel: 01902 518749, kirsty.hill@rsc-wm.ac.uk

Additional contact details for the RSC team can also be found on the RSC website.

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Learning Journey Made Mobile Report

Click the image below for the final project report. This details the findings of each indiviual project and highlights the benefits, expectations, challenges encountered when using each of the mobile devices that were purchased and evaluated.

These are the devices that were purchased and trialled within this project.

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Project Documentation

• Project Application Form Media:Updated_Mobile_Project_Application_Form.doc
• Terms and Conditions Media:The_Learning_Journey_T&C.pdf
• Project Final Evaluation Form Media:Project_Evaluation_-_Guidance_Notes.doc

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Key Dates

• Deadline for submissions: 12pm on Mon 29th Nov 2010

• Review of bids: 29 Nov – 3rd Dec 2010

• Notification of successful bids: 6th Dec 2010

• Purchasing: 6th Dec – 4th Jan 2011

• Face to face launch at WSP: w/c 10th Jan 2011

• Project Implementation: 10 Jan – w/c 10 April 2011

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Planning Tools and Checklists

The following documents are supporting resources for the JISC publication: Innovative Practice with E-Learning. They may be useful for helping you to think about embedding your use of mobile technologies.

• A manager’s planning tool for use of mobile and wireless technologies This planning tool, designed for use by managers in post-16 education, takes a stepped approach towards the implementation of mobile and wireless technologies. Throughout the tool, the term ‘institution’ is used. The planning tool may, however, be adapted to a range of management contexts, from whole organisations to departments, or individual teams. The questions and guidance provided may not apply equally to all contexts, but are intended to provide a broad framework from which to commence the planning process.

• Practitioner’s planning tool for use of mobile and wireless technologies This tool could also be used to evaluate practice with mobile and wireless technologies to identify ways in which the quality of the learners’ experience has been improved, or could be improved further. Points for further action could then be highlighted.

• E-learning manager’s planning tool for use of mobile and wireless technologies This tool looks at two separate areas, Mobile learning (using small portable devices to enhance learning) and Infrastructure (issues to consider if mobile and wireless learning is to be made available across various sites).

• An institutional audit tool for mobile and wireless and other forms of e-learning The questions contained within this tool can be used to audit existing provision, either by a single individual with an overview of e-learning and learning with mobile and wireless technologies, or in discussion amongst a range of stakeholders. This second approach could reveal significant differences in how the current situation is perceived, and could be more instrumental in moving the organisation forward.

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Mobile Devices Information Sheets

Useful information sheets describing the mobile technologies that are currently available in the RSC West Midlands mobile technology kit. Each sheet provides a brief description of the device, its potential use with a teaching and learning context and the device specifications.

• Mobile Learning Devices

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Other Links and Information

The following 'Wobble' posts link to a number of websites and publications which explore the use of mobile learning in Work Based Learning:

• Innovative Practice with e-Learning, a free JISC publication focussed on Embedding Mobile Technologies.

• The Impact of Mobile Technologies, examining what it means to teaching and learning. , This report summarises the findings of 32 MoLeNET projects, offering lots of examples of good practice and lessons learnt.

• Excellence Gateway case studies focussing on Mobile Learning

• Mobile Learning in the Work Based Learning Sector Post with links to other mobile learning related sites including the NIACE Mobile Technology website, TechDis wesbite and more.

• Things Learners can do with a Mobile Phone

• Go Mobile, Maximising the potential of mobile technologies for learners with disabilities. This publication was developed jointly by the Learning and Skills Network (LSN) and JISC TechDis. It focuses on the use of mobile technologies for learners with learning difficulties, and also offers examples of ways that mobile devices can be used more generally to engage all learners.

• Kineos Free Mobile Learning Guide. This guide published by Kineo and UfI explores the opportunities available for mobile learning or learning on the move.

• Moleshare This site offers a number of mobile friendly learning materials that can be freely downloaded, for use on your intranet or your Virtual Learning Environment.

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