The professor in your pocket : directed learning on the move

Abstract

Picture the scene. A class of history students are on a school trip in the heart of Valletta. The teacher stands in front of the parliament, and begins the lesson by… asking them to pull out their phones and point them towards the building to unlock the next video in the educational trail. A group of teenagers absorbed in their smartphones? Not the most obvious learning environment, but perhaps not as ridiculous as it sounds. Using digital technology to expand our knowledge, otherwise known as mobile learning, is by no means a new concept. With the increasing specification and power of our smartphones, we can ‘Google’ any question and find answers within seconds. Smart learning builds on this concept, allowing users to learn about a particular location or building while standing right beside it. The use of technology in the classroom is not new either and has been growing exponentially in recent years. More and more lessons are based on learning through play with games and explorations on gadgets like tablets and smartphones. When technology is so portable, surely it makes sense to continue this use of digital learning when the lesson is over?