Here I am. In the midst of a career reboot, where I will finally have the chance to pursue my interests in technology in the classroom and teaching technology full time, and what do I find? Conflict. Controversy. Uncertainty. Technology integration and Information Communication Technology - is this the panacea that we hope it to be?
I explored this question by scanning recent posts in a number of national and international organizations to see what I would find. Frankly the results are inconclusive and as one report put it, "fuzzy." For every report of positive results with improvements in math and reading performance, there are others that see little or no positive impacts.
According to World Education Blog, produced by UNESCO, in their March 2016 Global Education Can mobile learning bridge the digital divide and learning gap?" . The answer was a hopeful Yes! but was prefaced by a cautionary tale of a danger that continued emphasis on technology in the classroom among poorer nations could turn the digital divide into a chasm, as technologies of all kinds remain beyond the reach of poorer nations. According to the GEM Report, “The Dakar Framework in 2000 warned of the risk of ICT exacerbating existing inequalities and said such technology should serve, rather than drive, education strategies.”
Monitoring Report (GEM Report) the question was asked: "
Mobile devices, however, were expected to be a cost effective, tech alternative that were readily available both outside of school and inside, and which do not require the infrastructure that traditional computer labs, and even wireless mobile laptop labs require. Yet the results remain inconclusive.
On the bright side, the research does show that experience using mobile devices in school does seem to have a long term positive impact, however. “Perhaps mobile learning has greater potential when viewed from a lifelong learning perspective, rather than in bolstering school performance.” (GEM Report 2016). Could it be that even just the exposure to mobile technologies, devices which can and do reach a much broader base of people, when they are used in new, innovative, and educational ways, can be something of a gateway? Those with such experiences may be more apt to seek out other technologically based opportunities and programs:
“The GMR 2012 showed that the approach could have huge benefits for improving livelihood opportunities for young people. Those in rural contexts, for instance, with proper training could use the technology to access information and financial services that can increase productivity and earning….
From this broader viewpoint of education quality, mobile learning should be valued for the role it can play providing distance learning for teachers as the GMR 2013/4 showed. In South Africa, a teacher education programme supplements paper-based distance learning with text messaging.”
Like the old adage, one should not lost sight of the forest for the trees, perhaps we are well advised to broaden our perspective when it comes to evaluating mobile devices in the classroom.
SOURCE:
GEM Report. (2016, March 07). Can mobile learning bridge the digital divide and learning gap? Retrieved May 22, 2016, from https://gemreportunesco.wordpress.com/2016/03/07/can-mobile-learning-bridge-the-digital-divide-and-learning-gap/
I explored this question by scanning recent posts in a number of national and international organizations to see what I would find. Frankly the results are inconclusive and as one report put it, "fuzzy." For every report of positive results with improvements in math and reading performance, there are others that see little or no positive impacts.
According to World Education Blog, produced by UNESCO, in their March 2016 Global Education Can mobile learning bridge the digital divide and learning gap?" . The answer was a hopeful Yes! but was prefaced by a cautionary tale of a danger that continued emphasis on technology in the classroom among poorer nations could turn the digital divide into a chasm, as technologies of all kinds remain beyond the reach of poorer nations. According to the GEM Report, “The Dakar Framework in 2000 warned of the risk of ICT exacerbating existing inequalities and said such technology should serve, rather than drive, education strategies.” Monitoring Report (GEM Report) the question was asked: "
Mobile devices, however, were expected to be a cost effective, tech alternative that were readily available both outside of school and inside, and which do not require the infrastructure that traditional computer labs, and even wireless mobile laptop labs require. Yet the results remain inconclusive.
On the bright side, the research does show that experience using mobile devices in school does seem to have a long term positive impact, however. “Perhaps mobile learning has greater potential when viewed from a lifelong learning perspective, rather than in bolstering school performance.” (GEM Report 2016). Could it be that even just the exposure to mobile technologies, devices which can and do reach a much broader base of people, when they are used in new, innovative, and educational ways, can be something of a gateway? Those with such experiences may be more apt to seek out other technologically based opportunities and programs:
“The GMR 2012 showed that the approach could have huge benefits for improving livelihood opportunities for young people. Those in rural contexts, for instance, with proper training could use the technology to access information and financial services that can increase productivity and earning….
From this broader viewpoint of education quality, mobile learning should be valued for the role it can play providing distance learning for teachers as the GMR 2013/4 showed. In South Africa, a teacher education programme supplements paper-based distance learning with text messaging.”
Like the old adage, one should not lost sight of the forest for the trees, perhaps we are well advised to broaden our perspective when it comes to evaluating mobile devices in the classroom.
SOURCE:
GEM Report. (2016, March 07). Can mobile learning bridge the digital divide and learning gap? Retrieved May 22, 2016, from https://gemreportunesco.wordpress.com/2016/03/07/can-mobile-learning-bridge-the-digital-divide-and-learning-gap/
