Case Study Discussion - Torrey Pines

What mobile technology was utilized in the case? Describe infrastructure, mobile device, program, and content.
ThinkPad X60 Tablet PCs were used by the students and teacher in the classroom and in the home setting. Wireless internet connections were available in the classroom. Part of the tablet PC's devices include, touch screen and digitizer pen/stylus, docking stations, additional USB, projector, monitor ports & a CD-ROM drive. Programs used were snipping tool in Windows Vista, ScreenFlash, Microsoft Office Professional 2007, Microsoft Encarta® 2007 Academic online encyclopedia, and the latest build of Mathematica 6.0. Instant messaging and a collective e-whiteboard were also used. Content included advanced mathematics studies using drawings and diagrams as well as other practice activities.

Describe how the technology was integrated into the learning context. What learning activities can you find from the case? What functions are offered by mobile technology for those activities?

Integrating technology into the classroom was intended to foster creative thinking and create a rich learning environment with real-world relevance. This was done by activities which create three-dimensional graphs to demonstrate concepts and illustrate examples, encourage students do presentations to review concepts and verify calculations done by hand with the Mathematic program.

The teacher prepared all lessons using the programs. Class lectures were interactive allowing the students to get involved in practicing the math sequences. These lectures were then available for further study and practice on a class website.
Project based learning was used with community action awareness for students to choose their own topics to explore using the programs.
Mobile technology seems to facilitate student communications outside of class the most.

The teacher also had assigned office hours where she was available through instant messaging as well as using an interactive white board to help students with homework questions.

Can you see any pedagogical underpinnings in the case? Present your findings.

Constructivism is the teacher’s preferred teaching methodology. Project learning and community interaction are scaffolded and encouraged. I think the best example of her teaching method is this communitypProject activity. The California State Standards for Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II were put in a box and had each student draw a standard for which they would build a Mathematica demonstration. Working alone or in pairs, students were to upload these demos to a new website, www.MathematiClub.com, so other teachers could download and use them in the classroom or for other students to use at home.

Additionally, when the teacher was observed by colleagues, she was described as a guide on the side – an important element of a constructivist class.


Critique

What was your definition of mobile learning?
Mobile learning is that which is available through a portable device which pulls information "just in time" and connects the learner to a community of practice (shared learning environment).

Does the case meet your criteria of mobile learning?
Yes it does in that the students can check answers and pull lecture notes as they need them. Additonally in the classroom and at home hours connect the students and teacher to a community of practice with elements to practice and teacher to a wider community through posting their findings and resources online.

We have discussed the limitations of mobile learning. Can you think out any problems from this case?
This particular case deals with the limitations I mentioned in my previous forum posting. The touchscreen and stylus really make the kinesthetic elements of drawing diagrams more electronically mobile and transferable. While the article was very upbeat about the technology, implicitly the contract that was signed in order to access the latest version of Mathematica draws in the corporate world into an academic environment for minors. I find this ethically untenable for fair education practices.

What could have made the mobile learning case better?
That this was more viral for mainstream students. Better would be more students would have access to such great tools for learning. Better would be more teachers would be willing to let the students have more control over their learning.