Mainstreaming mobile learning in higher education: Capabilities and strategies for teachers

As more and more students bring mobile devices (such as mobile phones and tablets/iPads) into classes, teachers in higher education need strategies for dealing with them. Telling students to turn off their devices no longer works, and failing to utilise these powerful devices in learning activities is an opportunity missed. How can teachers make the most of student owned mobile phones and other devices? In this workshop, strategies for mobile learning in university classes will be explored across experiences in three universities (Murdoch, University of Western Sydney, and Curtin). This session will demonstrate a now completed ALTC project entitled 'New technologies, new pedagogies', together with successful pedagogies developed in teacher education and applicable across a range of discipline areas. The session will include demonstrations of the use of mobile devices as cognitive tools at Murdoch, Curtin and UWS. Participants will brainstorm and analyse strategies for using mobile learning in their teaching. Resources and links for mobile learning will also be shared through the recent development of a mobile learning website and community of practice (funded by an ALTC 2011-12 extension of the original project). Products from the original project include the website, http://mlearning.uow.edu.au/, an edited refereed book (downloadable): [http://ro.uow.edu.au/newtech/], and papers at ascilite Conferences [including http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/melbourne08/procs/herrington-j.pdf]