Web 2.0 and Mobile Learning

1. Define Web 2.0 and mobile learning.
2. Identify ways in which Web 2.0 and mobile learning have and continue to impact education. 
3. Identify the challenges faced in trying to integrate Web 2.0 and mobile technologies.
4. Provide your opinion on the future of mobile learning and apps in education. Many schools are implementing 1:1 iPad initiatives or BYOD programs. Do you think this trend will continue? Do you think mobile devices and apps are transformative technologies, or will they suffer the same fate as interactive whiteboards (lots of hype, huge investments, little use)?

I am an enthusiastic advocate of technology in the classroom. It benefits the students in several ways, allowing them to connect with the world around them and explore their talents and creativity by using new, brilliant, 21st century devices and applications. Two concepts that support technology are Web 2.0 and Mobile Learning. Here are their definitions:

Web 2.0 is the name that's been given to the new era of productivity offered by the internet. Internet applications such as Twitter, Prezi, and Blogspot are examples of Web 2.0. These applications, among others, work to limit complications when teaching,  communicating, or publishing work. 

Mobile learning is the concept of using handheld devices such as iPhones (or other smart phones), iPads, Kindles, and others in the classroom. 

Both Web 2.0 and mobile learning have had a positive impact in the classroom. First and foremost, the students benefit from these programs. Early in my teaching career, I struggled with keeping certain students engaged. Web 2.0 and Mobile learning create excitement among students: enthusiasm for coming to school and learning. Web 2.0 aps like Twitter allow students to connect with the outside world and communicate with their teachers and fellow students while publishing their work online. Mobile learning gives students the chance to use devices that they use every day outside of the classroom and put them to good use inside the classroom. With the speed that some of these kids text these days (my 15 year old sister sent over 17,000 texts this past month. Seriously). imagine how quickly they could get their work done with mobile learning. 

Another positive impact Web 2.0 and mobile learning present is the opportunity to prepare our students for the future. By blogging, using social media, and web presentation aps such as Prezi, students are avidly working with devices they are sure to encounter in the working world as well as later in their educational careers. 

There are certainly challenges to implementing both Web 2.0 and mobile learning. To me, the biggest challenge is classroom management. It is already a daunting challenge controlling 20-30 students. Now you're bringing in twitter, Facebook, and with mobile learning: cell phones, iPads, etc. Teachers will have to really focus on keeping everyone on task and limiting distractions. Passing notes is a little easier to catch than texting across the classroom. 

The backbone of mobile learning is referred to as Bring Your Own Device (BYOD). 

As long as BYOD is saving money and supporting budgets, I think its trend will grow. Training sessions on BYOD programs, lessons, and activities, as well as classroom management will be necessary to help make this successful. I would cautiously implement BYOD in my classroom. I truly believe it will make a difference in the fervor students show for school and learning. Teachers must dedicated to using BYOD effectively and consistently however. Too many teachers ignore their smart boards or any technology they may have in their classrooms. I'm not saying every lesson in every subject needs to be on a LCD screen of some sort, but in 2012 and going forward technology must play a significant role in our schools. 

Reference: 

(n.d.). The role of web 2.0 technologies in k-12 education.Virginia Society for Technology in Education, Retrieved from http://www.vstereg.org/vste/ee/documents/Web20Advocacy.pdf