The Diffusion of Mobile Devices in the Classroom by Devonee Trivett

for Diffusion of Technology in Education, EDUC 7102 WITH DR. GREEN, WALDEN UNIVERSITY, SUMMER 2013

Mobile Devices, such as Smartphones or Tablets in the classroom

Mobile devices, adoption is eventually inevitable in the classroom because their acceptance in popular society has reached critical mass.

Embracing this technology in the classroom today will enable more students todayto enjoy the advantages.

Mobile Devices Enhance Educational Experiences

The main advantages aiding diffusion are:

Advantage #1: Relevance for Today Mobile Devices make learning

accessible to the 21st Century learner, and it supports the much needed skills

such as personal management, digital literacy, collaboration, creativity and communication.

Advantage #2: effective assessment

Mobile Devices in the classroom provide increased assessment capabilities.

Advantage #3: students as innovators

Mobile devices, and the myriad of capabilities they open up for individual learning, allow for students themselves to be innovators.

Advantage #4: Enhanced Collaboration

Collaboration activities are enhanced with Itablets and other mobile devices.

Barriers include:

Investment of Time, Training, and Materials

necessary period of trial and error,

existing culture of resistance

The main barrier, the early majority, in education is the instructors.

convincing early adopters is the most effective strategy for achieving full adoption of mobile devices, as they will influence the early & late majority

Students tend to embrace technology

Most students today are comfortable using mobile devices for a variety of activities.

Computer and Internet use at home has reached a critical mass.

Why Studentsembrace ed tech

Opportunities for Learning with Mobile Devices in the Classroom are

curriculum-based learning through creative student team projects

opportunities for collaboration and information gathering in all subject areas

customized learning platforms

Develop a plan for the introduction and sustaining of mobile devices in the classroom through connecting.

Resistance minimization strategy:

Connect to existing values and goals of existing administration and faculty.

Plan to for a period of trial and error to allow faculty members to develop a comfort level and adopt the innovation in stages (Rogers, 2003).

A Strategic Plan for Diffusion of Mobile Devices Would Include

on-going professional development and trainings on mobile device application in classroom,

information exchange among peers and outside mentors’

instructor-monitored blogs and communities of learners

Critical Mass in Popular Use Outside Classroom

successful diffusion in classroom occurs after popular reaches a critical mass (Rogers), and based on the findings of researchers  this is, will be, or already has been attained for adoption of mobile devices in the classroom.

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

POPULAR

USE

The current numbers indicate significant growth in adoption of these devices in the classroom.

4.5 Million (and Counting) iPads in U.S. Schools Hill, S. (2012) http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/tablets-invading-the-classroom/

Predictions & Rates of Numbers of Mobile Devices in Classroom

2008-2015

Series10

1,000,000

2,000,000

3,000,000

4,000,000

5,000,000

6,000,000

YEAR 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2012 2013 2013 2015

Mobile Devices are effective and reduce cost in the long run.

Schools are choosing these hand-held devices as a way to "sustain students' interest, reward their achievements and, in some cases, actually keep per-student costs down.“ (The Rise of Tablets as Textbooks, Huffington Post, 2013)

This supports a social constructivist approach

Allows teachers to differentiate their instruction effectively

Allows students to apply their learning

Opens up learning beyond the classroom walls

The future is promising for mobile devices in the classroom.

Mobile Devices will most likely be adopted in our future classrooms, as pragmatists will perceive benefits.

Although critical mass has not yet been achieved in the classroom, it has been achieved in the larger society, and it is only a matter of time for

educational pragmatists to perceive the benefits.

Vision: “Quality Education Accessible to All”

-Steve Jobs

Mobile devices further the vision of innovation leader and educational technology champion, Steve Jobs.

References

Annual Conference on Distance Teaching and Learning. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.uwex.edu/disted/conference/   

Allsop, Y. (2011, August 28). Children's Perception of Learning with Educational Games Using iPod Touches. Online Submission

Bonnington, C. (Jan. 23, 2012). iPad a solid education tool, study reports. Wired @ http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/23/tech/innovation/ipad-solid-education-tool/index.html

Hill, S. (2012) http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/tablets-invading-the-classroom

References (continued)

International Society for Technology in Education. (n.d.).  Retrieved from    http://www.iste.org/welcome.aspxLaureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2008). Diffusion and integration of technology in education. Baltimore, MD: Dr. David ThornburgQuillen, I. (October 15, 2010) Schools open doors to students' mobile devices. Education Week @ http://www.edweek.org/dd/articles/2010/10/20/01mobile.h04.htmlRogers, E.(2003). Diffusion of innovations New York, NY: Free Press.Rossing J, Miller W, Cecil A (2012) Stamper S. iLearning: The Future of Higher Education? Student Perceptions on Learning with Mobile Tablets. Journal Of The Scholarship Of Teaching And Learning [serial online]:1-26. Available from: ERIC, Ipswich, MA.Schacther, R. (2009) Mobile Devices in the Classroom @ http://www.districtadministration.com/article/mobile- U.S. Census Bureau @ http://www.census.gov/hhes/computer/publications/2011.html