Mobile Learning and Social Media in Education
EDUA 6382 - Basic Applications and Media Technology
Staying updated with the latest technological advancements is essential in today's fast-paced world. Mobile learning and social media are a powerful combination that has revolutionized how we learn and communicate, making education more accessible and interactive.
Mobile Learning
EDUCAUSE (Mobile Learning, n.d.) defines Mobile Learning as using portable computing devices, including iPads, laptops, tablets, PCs, and smartphones with wireless networks to enable mobility and mobile learning. This allows teaching and learning to occur beyond the traditional classroom. Mobile learning also provides instructors and learners with greater flexibility and new opportunities for interaction.
According to the article "Changing Mobile Learning Practices: A Multiyear Study," the ECAR Study of Undergraduate Students and Information Technology, 2017, found that 95 percent of undergraduate students own a laptop or a smartphone, and 30 percent own a laptop, smartphone, or tablet. This has changed how universities approach online teaching by utilizing smartphones, allowing for easier communication, access to information, and photography. (Changing Mobile Learning Practices: A Multiyear Study 2012–2016, n.d.)
Additionally, it is crucial to explore methods to develop mobile learning opportunities. The article "7 Tips To Create Responsive Design For Mobile Learning" by Pappas (2021) outlines a responsive design approach that enables the creation of an eLearning course that adjusts to any browser or device. The article offers the following tips:
Select mobile-friendly layouts - ensure that the learner can access the course through their laptop or smartphone and enjoy the same learning experience.
Compress content to reduce loading times - this means uploading only the necessary, eliminating unnecessary graphics or white space.
Opt for fonts over image-based icons - ensure your font is viewable on all devices.
Focus on takeaways - avoid including irrelevant information.
Navigation should be a priority - keep it simple and easy to navigate.
Ensure that text is ideal for all screen sizes - select a font size ideal for reading on all devices.
Preview your eLearning course on multiple platforms - ensure that everything looks good.
Social Media
Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and LinkedIn have changed how we communicate and share information. These platforms have become essential to our daily lives and have made connecting with people worldwide easier. Surprisingly, social media is now a valuable educational tool, facilitating real-time collaboration and information exchange.
The article "5 Ultimate Tricks of Using Social Media As Learning Tools" by Norman (2021) presents five effective ways to integrate social media into education, such as: creating a Facebook group for the class or using Pinterest to pin educational resources. These suggestions are beneficial because they promote interactive learning and increase student engagement in their lessons.
Smart devices are no longer optional; they are now essential, especially in higher education institutions that use applications such as the Blackboard App. Life is easier and more organized in the digital world. Still, there is a significant learning curve for those who are not expert practitioners in using smart devices and are familiar with the thousands of apps created for almost everything we do.
For future reference, please see the video below:
References
Assignment Desk UK. (2019, May 27). How Social Media Transforming Future Of Education | Social Media Use In Education | Role [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaNLrPkrVoU
Changing Mobile Learning Practices: A multiyear study 2012–2016. (n.d.). EDUCAUSE Review. https://er.educause.edu/articles/2018/4/changing-mobile-learning-practices-a-multiyear-study-2012-2016
Mobile learning. (n.d.). EDUCAUSE Library. https://library.educause.edu/topics/teaching-and-learning/mobile-learning
Norman, S. (2021). 5 Ultimate Tricks Of Using Social Media As Learning Tools. eLearning Industry. https://elearningindustry.com/5-ultimate-tricks-using-social-media-learning-tools
Pappas, C. (2021). 7 Tips To Create Responsive Design For Mobile Learning. eLearning Industry. https://elearningindustry.com/7-tips-create-responsive-design-mobile-learning
Commentaires