Benefits of Mobile Technology in Teaching and Learning

Mobile technology is now a familiar part of the classroom, with the role of the teacher having gone beyond the confines of the classroom (Sharples, 2002) and can include the use of IPads, laptops and mobile phones etc. Mobile technology can offer many values towards teaching and learning, which includes:

Students and teachers are able to source other forms of information, not just reading, such as, videos, blogs, images and audio lectures (Leask, 2001).

Teaching and assessment can be tailored to meet student’s individual needs, can offer detailed and immediate feedback and data can then be used to determine the next steps of learning (Maier and Warren, 2000). Within my current placement we work with students with a number of different needs; therefore, it is important to adapt the teaching and assessment to their needs and abilities.

Mobile technology can support disabled learners as it provides a range of materials that are multisensory, offer specialised keyboards and mice, touch screens and communication aides (Gillespie, 2006).

Mobile technology can help to overcome barriers to social inclusion by motivating students in their learning to rehearse and practice their skills, experience learning in different ways and develops partnership working between students, parents/carers and other organisations (Gillespie, 2006). Within my placement students require support from various organisations’ therefore, it is important to use mobile technology to make suitable working relationships.

Mobile technology helps creativity, as studies show when students use ICT they relate better to their own work as they can look at it in more ‘real’ contexts, they are more engaged and have more of a purpose in their work (Passey et al, 2003). Some of the students within my placement have low self-esteem so mobile technology allows students to feel proud of their work and take ownership.

I know when I was studying for my undergraduate degree, I relied heaving on contacting my lecturer by e-mail for information and feedback and I intend to do the same for my students, ensuring that I am available outside of the regular 9am-5pm classroom hours.