Experienced young PDA users set their own standards for m-learning

Abstract

“Mr Flynn, I am getting better and better at using this PDA. Am I as good as you now?”

The Learning2go mobile learning project in Wolverhampton has involved over 1000 learners in 18 learning establishments across both primary and secondary phases. Since October 2005, learners have had their own PDA (personal digital assistant) to use both in school and beyond. They have used the device in a variety of exciting ways, including:

• receiving and learning from multi-media content • browsing and researching from the Internet • communicating their ideas • authoring their own work using a variety of applications.

The Learning2go project has as its ethos the belief that learners should have the choice and self-confidence to learn when, how and where they want. The project promotes a personalised learning experience, in which the learner is responsible for managing their own device and helping to shape their own learning.

As the learners have had 100% access to the device during the course of this academic year, their m-learning capability has exceeded initial expectations. This short paper will describe how a group of experienced PDA learners, from several project schools, met to discuss, suggest and re-define how their progress in m-learning could be measured and recognised.

During the discussion session, children and teachers worked in partnership to describe 3 standards to which all learners should aspire. Learners were clear in their own mind what constituted a ‘good’ mobile learner across 5 categories of PDA use.

From these discussions, the ‘Loox Cool’ bronze, silver and gold awards were born. In this paper, the authors will share the process which resulted in the formation of these awards, blending m-learning and pupil voice.

Children’s experiences driving m-learning standards – are they not the best judge?