Learning Conversations

Some colleagues and I have recently been discussing a possible framework for thinking about mobile learning environments. What are the distinctive features of these environments?
Here are three possible dimensions of such a framework:
1. Space or location. Mobile learning devices can be used in a range of ‘places’ ranging from classrooms in formal learning settings to home environments to more informal ‘3^rd spaces’.
2. Communication. Learners often communicate through a mobile device on a small scale (e.g. a phonecall or text message) or via a large network (such as Twitter). Conversations can be asynchronous, or more often leverage the convenience and immediacy of being synchronous or ‘real-time’. (Even new bloggers very quickly appreciate this sense of connection). Of course, mobile devices may be used on an individual, personal basis and may not involve any communication (although they may elicit face-face communications!).
3. Activity. This dimension could be informed by Hedberg’s ‘options for technology use’ in education (p. 176). It features (local or networked-based) activities ranging from accessing (or ‘pulling in’ content eg. listening to a podcast) to use of applications for presentational or representational purposes (such as some iPhone apps) to more generative activities (or ‘pushing’ content) such as capturing and sharing media with a community via the microblogosphere.

Hedberg, J. G. (2006). E-learning futures? Speculations for a time yet to come. Studies in Continuing Education, 28(2), 171-183.

(Thanks to this Flickerer)

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