I made the decision to analyze the educational impact over technical attributes of mobile phone technology. This choice stems from my lack of knowledge and experience regarding cell phones in the educational environment. Using McLuhan’s model, examination of the progressions of cell phone technology reveals explicit implications for adoption.
Cell phones significantly enhance the educational environment through a variety of instructional methods. To begin, cell phones expand the use of mobile learning including distance education and collaborative projects. Additionally, this technology improves data collection for homework, opinion polls, grading quizzes, class discussions, and research projects (Elise, 2008). Another enhancement created by cell phones involves assistive technology. Elise (2008) reports that mobile devices support visual and hearing impairments by offering free online resources and multiple applications for communication such as text and voice. Using cell phones in the educational environment improves communication and collaboration as students actively engage with peers, teachers, and experts to authenticate content. Finally, this technology advances classroom management as students and teachers store video and images, use word processing for notes, save lectures as podcasts, and read online books and articles (Elise, 2008).
The numerous enhancements provided by cell phones leads to discussion on what this technology obsoletes. Currently, budget cut-backs hinder technology development. However, funding for cell phones is the parent’s responsibility. Therefore, schools can integrate educational technology strategies without the burden of purchasing additional computers or mobile devices (Roberson & Hagevik, 2008). Furthermore, the traditional classroom transforms to learner-centered by eliminating the negative opinion that cell phones only promote social behavior. Elise (2008) suggests that future educators will appreciate the technology as a learning tool rather than a social toy.
The theory underlying cell phones in education has roots in the principles of Comenius’ instructional method. His theory supports customized education, integration of subjects, and developmentally appropriate design (Saettler, 2004). Comenius believed that a teacher could educate a mass amount of students by managing the classroom environment with a lesson introduction followed by individual learning segments and collaboration with peers. Before his time, Comenius suggested theory related to distant learning. Like Comenius, classroom strategies associated with cell phones encourage authentic learning experiences, flexible teaching, and learner ingenuity (Prensky, 2005).
Another factor related to retrieval involves global competition. The Space Age spawned urgency for mass education. Mobile technology has significantly impacted the effect on global communication and collaboration. With this technology impacting the educational system, global consciousness redevelops as fierce competition requires innovative and connected graduates (Elise, 2008).
What is the future of cell phones in education? Mobile technology will continue to improve global communication and personalization of digital devices (MOCOM2020, 2010). Additionally, MOCOM2020 (2010) reports over 4 billion mobile phone users. These facts lead to the belief that educational barriers will diminish as students develop into digital natives, compelling institutions to change traditional practices to digital methods. Eventually, educational technology theory will thrive as acceptance of mobile technology reaches critical mass.
References
Elise. (2008, September 7). Cell phones in education: An interview with Liz Korb [Web log comment]. Retrieved from http://cellphones.org/blog/cell-phones-in-education-an-interview-with-liz-korb/
Kolb, L. (2010). From toy to tool: Cell phones in learning [Web log comment]. Retrieved from http://www.cellphonesinlearning.com/
MOCOM2020. (2010, August 16). Mobile 2020: How will the future of mobile look like? [Web log comment]. Retrieved from http://www.mocom2020.com/2010/08/mobile-2020-how-will-the-future-of-mobile-look-like/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Mocom2020+%28MOCOM2020%29&utm_content=My+Yahoo
Prensky, M. (2005). What can you learn from a cell phone?: Almost anything. Innovate, 1(5). Retrieved from http://innovateonline.info/pdf/vol1_issue5/What_Can_You_Learn_from_a_Cell_Phone__Almost_Anything!.pdf
Roberson, J. H., & Hagevik, R. A. (2008). Cell phones for education. Meridian: A Middle School Computer Technologies Journal, 11(2). Retrieved from http://www.ncsu.edu/meridian/sum2008/roberson/index.htm
Saettler, P. (2004). The evolution of American educational technology. Greenwich, CT: Information Age Publishing Inc.
