Mobile Technology and Learning

Smartphone

For many people, the smartphone is a way to stay connected and to have the latest gadgets, as well as having instant access to the news; music; Ebooks; a camera; email and countless other apps.  For me the smartphone is also a handy learning tool.  Most of the educational apps I use are available on other platforms (such as tablets), but I choose to use my phone for the convenience of fitting it into my pocket, and having it with me at all times.

My Favourite learning apps (photo: my own)

·         Podcasts: With this app I can listen to podcasts on any subject imaginable.  I have selected my favourites to keep in ‘My Podcasts’.

·         Lumosity: Brain training to keep my mind active

·         TED: This is the TED Talks app allowing me to find and watch (or save for later) any TED Talk video.

·         SSIW: As a Welsh learner, the Say Something in Welsh app helps me to develop my Welsh Language skills.

·         Music Tutor: This helps me to improve my music sight reading skills.

·         Learn Al by Udemy: Udemy is an online learning platform provided by experts.

·         Easy Bib: Scan the barcode of a book and Easy Bib stores the bibliographic information.  I used to email myself the list and paste it into my references list.  (This has been made redundant now that I have been converted to Microsoft Word’s auto-cite function!)

·         Translate: This is another useful app for my Welsh language learning, but it can be used for any language.

·         Evernote: I use this to make notes as they can be filed into categories.  With Evernote, I can paste URLs, pictures and any other information I find online.  Evernote can be accessed on any device.

·         JeFit: I included JeFit in this list because I use it as an instructional tool.  JeFit shows you how to properly perform workout routines, and tells you how they benefit you.

·         iTunesU: This is where I store recordings of university lectures from all around the world, including; A Romp Through the Philosophy of Mind - Oxford University, and A History of Children’s Literature – La Trobe University.

·         iBooks: With iBooks I can purchase (or download for free) from a huge collection of ebooks.  There is a collection called ‘Books for Teachers’ which includes books and other resources I wouldn’t be able to easily find elsewhere.

Drives

I often use Google drive, Dropbox or Evernote to keep notes and other information that can be access on any device.  This means I don’t have to take my laptop with me at all times, and it also allows me to share documents if required.  This is a huge advantage as my learning is not hindered by lack of accessibility.  The downside to these drives is that you require internet access.  Backing up information onto a humble flashdrive solves that.  Let the learning continue! 

Kindle

Yes, books have always been mobile...
(Photo: My own)

As a lover of books (the look, the feel, the smell...) I was hesitant to try an e-reader at first.  But in early 2011, after carrying a few paperbacks and a travel guide to Malta I decided enough was enough. When I first started using my Kindle, it was mainly for fiction and travel guides. It wasn't long before I started buying (or sampling) books for my MA and more recently, my PCET. Books have always been mobile, but with my Kindle I can carry more books than otherwise possible.  A library in my pocket! 

Using technology in everyday life

I went to London this weekend.  It was a spontaneous decision made two days earlier. Once the idea was planted, I went straight online to book transport, accommodation and theatre tickets: A weekend sorted in minutes thanks to the Internet and a laptop.

Making such a spur of the moment decision meant that there was little time to pack.  As I was leaving the house on Saturday morning wondering if I had packed everything, I thought to myself: "As long as I have my phone (fully charged) and my credit card I'll be fine." 

Armed with a credit card I can buy anything I forgot to pack. But why did my phone matter above all else?  Travel documents, hotel and theatre reservations, map of the underground - all these things were on my phone.  If I got lost, the voice on my map app would tell me where to go.  If I needed to look for somewhere to eat or the nearest attraction, my trip advisor app could show me. When does this museum close? How much does that gallery charge? Where is the nearest tube station? How far is The Courtauld from The Tate? All these answers can be found within seconds thanks to 3G (still waiting on 4G but I'm coping).  My phone can tell me how much is on my Oyster card, and can even top it up.  If I want a Starbucks without paying cash - I have a Starbucks app.  If I found myself without reading material on the journey I could read the news, play a game or connect to my Kindle, all on my phone - and when my eyes are tired, I can just plug my headphones into my phone and listen to Planet Rock instead.

Of course, my phone is not just something I use for travelling. As a learning tool, I have access to books, journals, podcasts, language learning apps, university documents, as well as my uni email and Moodle.  It's also my watch, my camera, my calculator, my planner, my alarm clock, my pedometer, my MP3 player, my GPS... Oh yes, and I can make calls on it too.

Who needs a camera when you have a phone?
(photo: my own)