Embedding Mobile Technologies into Geography Awards: Benefits & Challenges Janet Wright

Digital Immigrants responsible for… Educating the: Digital Natives Net Generation Millennium Generation Clickerati Screenagers

The digital landscape of 2016: complex & contradic tory UK 2014 – 69% schools using tablets in the class- room Mobile technologies  disruptive & impact on concentration Complete ban imposed by some schools Different operating systems BYOD versus institutional Personal & social nature of mobile devices Digital native  myth or reality?

The Times on ‘Discipline suffers when pupils take iPads into class’ The Guardian on ‘Tablets out, imagination in: the schools that shun technology The Guardian on ‘The 'no-tech' school where screens are off limits – even at home’ The Telegraph on ‘Mobile phones and iPads could be banned from classrooms’ BetaNews on ‘Tablets failing miserably in higher education’

The digital landscape of 2016: complex & contradictory Mobile technology ownership high among UG students Student expectations (JISC / UCISA) –disconnect between expectations & how we use technology to enhance their learning? Employer expectations –Integrating mobile technologies into learning  prepares students for working in a digital age

Mobile technology in the Workplace

Mobile Technologies….. Powerful tools  used appropriately Capture, organise, manipulate, store data and information Motivate active & student-centred learning Enrich the learning environment Life-long learning

Effective embedding…. Better understanding of: Student expectations & concerns Students as digital learners & m-tech users –Currently –Previously Differences between operating systems Barriers & challenges for staff Benefits & limitations of –BYOD –Institutionally provided Best practice –Staff & students

So far…. L4 Survey: current & pre-HE m-tech use What type of Digital learner are you? L4 & L5 – Mapping PLEs Initiating conversations with students - digital learning & sharing of best practice Developing framework for tablet use  L6 Residential Field-course Spain

Using mobile technology on L6 Fieldwork One tablet per field group Relatively unstructured approach –General framework provided by Google Drive Encouraged to design use of tablets into their field project Interested in seeing how students would use the devices Post field-course survey

Sharing Resources: Google Drive

Common sets of Apps

Google Maps: Tutor led walking tour

Key observations on mobile tech use: Capture, record & collate field observations Access & share resources Search for information Identify potential field sites / plan routes Limited use of apps –Camera; note-taking; Google Drive One tablet per group not enough –Use of personal devices

Key observations on mobile tech use: Reluctance to move outside comfort zone –Both tutors & students Time constraints –Developing familiarity with operating system / apps –Identifying / evaluating apps Facilitates more collaborative learning but… Need to provide more guidance on effective use of mobile devices & Apps Keep things simple!

Starting the conversation with Science students… Explore student use & management of an institutionally provided tablet to support their learning  better understand: –how students use mobile devices both for academic & non-academic purposes –The significance of personal ownership & management of mobile devices –Advantages & barriers to effective use of mobile devices to support learning  the student perspective –How we can more effectively support student use of mobile devices within the learning environment

Starting the conversation…How? Collaborative project  3 Geography; 5 Forensic & Crime Science students Regular reporting by students –Discussion with project staff –Peer reporting in format of choice (blog, podcast, video diary etc.) –App of the month / App to avoid –Top tip(s) for other students / tutors Dissemination of key findings  SU L&T Conference 2017

Starting the Conversation…why? Better understanding of student attitudes, skills & expectations relating to use of mobile devices Provide students with the opportunity to make recommendations on how mobile technology can be more effectively embedded and supported within their learning environment Reduce disconnect between expectation and reality & enable sharing of best practice