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| by TZA on Flickr |
Each month, I author a blog post on the GETinsight blog, part of Cisco Systems’ GETideas.org network, about a topic relevant to educational innovation.
This month, I am exploring the relationship between cognitive brain research and mobile learning — not a topic a claim to be an expert on, but certainly one I’ve been pondering quite a bit lately. From my own mobile learning experiences, I find a much a higher rate of retention and deep learning when I am a mobile learner (usually on a walk or in a quiet place at a time that is convenient for me) versus in a scheduled, face-to-face setting. Mobile learning seems to meet the human brain’s craving for multisensory experiences and offers the opportunity to, well, be mobile and engage in physical activity while learning — which is kind of like sprinkling your brain with vitamin powder.
I hope you’ll venture on over to the blog post here, take a gander, and join in on the VoiceThread conversation I’ve set up. Hope to “see” you soon!
Hi, Michelle: I think that this is very worthy of exploration! Mobile apps can help users engage and interpret experience/material from their own perspective, which could help activate learning. Because you can use apps to maximize engagement, I am thinking that there is the likelihood of extra "rehearsal" on material/concepts…which can increase the rate of learning/deepen understanding. So, I am thinking that the personalization and rehearsal really could factor into brain-based learning. What do ya think? kg
Hi KG, it's great to hear from you. Happy new year. Glad to hear you agree. I think it's a pretty easy idea to support if you're one who relies upon mobile devices for your own lifelong learning (like you and I). I'm a strong advocate for using mobile technology within an institutional settting for meetings, communications, and professional development, as I think the more educators (an inclusive word intended to encompass everyone who works at a college/university/school) participate in our new mobile society, the more we all work partner in becoming advocates for using mobile learning in class and across campus for our students.
I completely agree with the "personalization and rehearsal" ideas you have touched upon. Mobile learning provides opportunities for increasing the scaffolding of learning to a student's individualized needs. "Time on task" takes us right back to Chickering and Gamson too. These are not new strategies, it's just a new way to implement them.
Thanks for your comment. When will we finally meet in person? 🙂
Michelle