Static/Dynamic Continuum: Distance Education Tools

At this junction in my studies, I assert my position on the static-dynamic continuum is moving toward the dynamic side of the pendulum.  As I continue to acknowledge and engage in various technologies; it is my ambition to become fully entrenched in these tools. This persistent engagement will undoubtedly present challenges, such as my current inabilities to transfer graphics to my blog ( :-D), however, I am fully convinced that these challenges will produce a well-rounded technology facilitator.  At the least, I will be able to securely identify with the issues new technologies present to my learners.

Learner Engagement Tools

Technological tools can provide a myriad of valuable resource and enrichment activities; enhancing the teaching and learning process within any educational venue. Within the halls of the online learning environment, one tool believed to be of great value is the inclusion of the smart phone in the online delivery platform. Recent studies in China and Canada have shown great promise in the usage of the smart phone as a tool for learners within this environment. Findings in these studies suggested a significant increase in both learner motivation and engagement as a result of inclusion of the smart phone in their classroom experience.

The Constructive Approach has a definite advocate with this tool as the learners have the ability of instant communications with instructors in real-time. Knowledge retention is also been seen as a learner benefit of smart phone incorporation. As the market shares for smart phones are predicted to rise about twenty-nine percent (29%) by the year 2014, this everyday tool can be seamlessly incorporated within any distance learning environment.

References

Mobile learning: Are we there yet? Brown, J., Culatta, R., Marrer, G., & Shirer, K. (2009) 25^th Annual Conference on Distance Teaching and Learning.

http://mediasite.ics.uwex.edu/mediasite5/Viewer/?peid=5752c038e69741f3a783f7c4e5b1c133

 Mobile learning with blackberry smartphones: University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

http://www.blackberry.com/select/offers/education/UofWaterloo_BCS_FINAL.pdf

Wang M., Shen R., Novak D., & Pan X. (2009) The impact of mobile learning on students'learning behaviours and performance: Report from a larger blended classroom. The British Journal of Educational Technology. 40(4). 673-695. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-1835.2008.