Looking Beyond the Parameters of Established Teaching and Learning:

Using Mobile Technology to Improve Learning via Web2 Software

Application and Mobile Data Transfer Systems. ©

Research Proposal by Pierre Lamont Dingley Module Code –12986

November 2009. Draft 1.©

The research paper will explore and discuss the use of “mobile”(1)
computer learning technology tools(Web2) for teaching “visual
literacy”(2) courses and will offer suggestions of how to improve
student learning outcomes and to assist learning facilitators (3)
(teachers) in becoming more efficient in their use of time.

The use of computer-based teaching technologies is becoming

increasingly more prevalent within the United Kingdom Secondary
Education System. Two common technologies utalised in
curriculum management systems are Notebooks and Wireless
Network Systems. (Including mobile phones within this
definition.) When these are combined with the use of Notebook
and desk top PCs that allow the use of Web2 software by
teachers/facilitators and students, new pedagogical tools become
easier to use in and out of the classroom. This research proposal
will focus specifically on Web2 Application within the focus of
teaching within Academy360. A new Academy within Sunderland,
(North East England.)

In addition, web-based support tools have been developed to

support pupil-student instruction and innovations continue to
appear. When combined, the use of computer-based teaching
technologies can combine to form a dynamic teaching environment
that is highly mobile, ubiquitous, and stimulating.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the mobile learning

technology that harnesses the academic versatility
and power of mobile PC systems that incorporate Web2 software
application in a learning environment (Secondary Education) to
enhance student learning and engagement while increasing the
efficiency of the teacher’s use of time. The paper will discuss
current Web2 software and application tools within an educational
–tuition context. This in terms of specific examples of how these
environments (Web2) can be used to augment teaching and
learning within and outside of the classroom. The paper will
specifically explore the use of Voice Thread and Creative CAD
software application within specific areas of instruction where the
use of these technologies exhibits especially significant net
benefits to pupil learning, with a focus in the following areas:
Computer-assisted presentations, assignments and pupil self-
evaluation; (AFL), electronic evaluation of pupil(EEP) written
work; visual learning pedagogy and the use of mobile phones as
data transfer systems within a modern learning environment. The
paper will also provide information on effective use by
experienced teachers who have used these technologies in their
own learning environments.

Footnote - (1) (mobile - phones, notebooks , I – Books etc) . (2) (Visual Literacy- Combining Art and Basic English
Literacy Skills). (3) (teachers) (4) modern - 2009.

Computer-based learning environments are increasingly becoming

commonplace at Secondary / Primary schools and within the BSF
Programs – (Academy). Two computer-based technologies are
becoming increasingly prevalent in the delivery of onsite tuition:
(1) online curriculum management systems and specialized
collaborative environments that permit electronic communication
of classroom instruction materials to pupils, among pupils and
between pupil and teacher; and (2) wireless network systems that
allow curriculum areas and pupils with mobile computers and
(phones) to communicate with their campus networks. However,
recent innovations in laptop computing have led to the
development of a computer that is very well designed for use in
teaching: The Notebook and I Phone. These small and very
portable mobile PCs are in every respect as effective as desktop PC
systems. The mobile PC represents a significant step forward in
mobile computing learning technology. Moreover, Internet-based
support tools (Web2) are being continually developed to support
instruction-tuition. When combined these mobile computing
learning tools can be combined to create a learning environment
that one can argue is an evolutionary leap forward technologically
and promises curriculum and pedagogy changes that will increase
efficiencies of educational production and enhance student
learning.

The purpose of this paper will be to describe the use of mobile

learning technology tools in general terms and how these tools can
be used to augment teaching and learning in the classroom. The
paper will discuss areas of instruction where the uses of these
technologies potentially exhibit significant net benefits to student
learning via the use of Web2 application. Mobile data transfer,
with a specific emphasis on Apple Hardware and Software as
particular to my focus study within Academy 360.

The research paper shall be organised into three parts: 1.

Evaluating and discussing the necessary hardware and software to
create a wireless teaching environment; 2. Describing how these
tools may be used in the traditional classroom to successfully
promote learning; and 3. Describing how these tools may be used
outside of the traditional classroom and indeed inside the virtual
classroom to help promote student understanding within “visual
literacy”.
4.Conclusion, to examine areas of future development.

The author of this study has been is employed at different

secondary educational institutions within South Africa, North
America and the United Kingdom. He has many years of teaching
experience and has observed the evolution in computer educational
technology that has occurred over the past two decades.
While I may be self-characterized as an emerging technophile, I
am nonetheless a teacher, educated and originally schooled in
traditional teaching methods.

Therefore my primary consideration when evaluating and

assessing the application of new computer technology is to
determine whether the benefits of incorporating Web2 and its use
within my teaching will outweighs the subsequent cost- both literal
and figurative. In particular, the associated improvement in student
learning of curriculum content and attitude towards visual literacy
must justify the learning costs associated with the implementation
of any new computer technology.

I have not approached this topic with a “child in the toy store”
perspective, merely excited by the prospect of having a new toy to
introduce to our pupils. Rather my perspective will be that of an
analytical social scientist, observing with interest how our
subjects, our pupils, interact within these high technology
environments within my subject specialism, within the curriculum
material, the teacher (me), and each other.
…………………………………………………………………….

Current Issues affecting the successful implementation of my

research is the acquisition of an IPhone, haven’t received that
from the school as yet, and my Skills for Life Classroom has no IT
white board or PC in sight yet…they will be much of my focus
group within Visual Literacy tuition. Some other learning areas
have not been upgraded to the level of IT resource needed to
create an effective study of pupils immersing themselves in new
Web2 Systems.
……………………………………………………………………
References

Adobe eLearning solutions -http://www.adobe.com/resources/elearning/

Mobile collaborative learning using multicast

MANETs :
http://conta.uom.gr/conta/publications/PDF/Mobile%20collaborative%20learning
%20using%20multicast%20MANETs.pdf

Mobile ESL Learning - http://esoltechnology.com/?p=64

Apps for the iPod Touch/iPhone -http://www.c4lpt.co.uk/iTouchLearning/topapps.html

Scenarios for using PSP as a mobile learning tool

-http://www.wikieducator.org/Lesson_3:_Scenarios_for_using_PSP_as_a_mobile_learni
ng_tool

Developing Standards based e-Learning Tools -

www.elearning.ac.uk/features/standards-based-tools.pdf

The New Technologies, New Pedagogies Project investigates and creates new teaching
and learning strategies using mobile technologies.- http://mlearning.uow.edu.au/

OpenLearn - The Open University - openlearn.open.ac.uk/oci_search/index.php?...

+digital+camera

Exploring Cellphones as Learning Tools

-http://ideasandthoughts.org/2008/02/05/exploring-cellphones-as-learning-tools/

Current uses of Mobile Learning - http://www.jisc.ac.uk/uploaded_documents/Current

%20Uses%20FINAL%202005.doc

School uses mobile phones as learning tool….-

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,24538923-2682,00.html

(words 1158 ) First Draft.