Mobile Learning & Social Media

...and how they are revolutionizing higher education

Mobile Learning:

In today’s classrooms, it is important to consider mobile learning development when preparing the landscape for learning. Especially since mobile devices have created permanent residence within learning (Chen, et al., 2018). However, when considering the use of mobile devices in regular learning, it is important to understand the obstacles that come with it. While mobile learning can be beneficial to students, particularly those in higher education, it can also bring on distraction for students. While many educators see the benefit in allowing mobile technology to play a role in learning, some feel that it only leads to distraction for students. Also, many educators lack the training to properly utilize mobile devices in learning. This is an issue across the board when it comes to implementing technology in learning, but especially in utilizing devices for mobile learning. However, if we only looked at the pitfalls to mobile learning, we would miss the success that tends to come with its implementation. The study by Chen et al., at the University of Central Florida (2018) found that many students prefer mobile learning and frequently use it. One survey discovered that the use of educational and reference apps had increased over a four year time span by 37%. Most students also believed that mobile devices made it easier to access course work, increased communication with peers and instructors, improved quality of work, and contributed to higher motivation (Chen, et al., 2018). Colin et al (2021) wrote an article describing the most important trends that seem to be recurring through mobile learning that supported best teaching practices. Student engagement, specific skill targeting, data for and about learning, and efficiency proved to be widely supported when mobile learning was occurring.

Image From: https://schoolscompass.com.ng/blog/2021/10/13/impact-of-social-media-on-education/

Social Media:

While social media is not new, it is creating a rather new presence within the classroom. Even elementary aged students are aware of social media and its purposes to some extent. Since it is inevitably going to play a role in the lives of students, it might as well be embraced and used as a tool for instruction. Arshavskiy (2018) believes that there are basic principles that encompass social media that can make it a powerful learning tool. A few being availability, accessibility, and readability. Because many students are already on social media, instructors can use it as a learning platform as long as expectations for use are relayed early on. It is important to not take for granted the ease of use and pay careful attention to planning instruction revolving around utilizing social media in learning. Norman (2016) suggested tools like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and YouTube to develop collaborative learning that supports higher level thinking for students.

Relevance to Educators

As educators, it is important to continue creating relevant learning for our students. As educational technologists, it is even more important that we keep up with the trends that are constantly evolving and developing. Even things from a year ago are almost irrelevant today. With both of these topics being so prevalent in the daily lives of everyone, it would be incredibly beneficial for instructors to be trained and made aware of the ways in which these simple platforms can be integrated into learning.

Works Cited

Arshavskiy, M. (2018, April 5). Social Media And eLearning: How To Improve Formal Learning With Social Media. eLearning Industry. https://elearningindustry.com/improve-formal-learning-with-social-media-social-media-elearning#:~:text=By%20posting%20key%20instructional%20content,to%20further%20their%20learning%20objectives.

Chen, B., Bauer, S., Salter, A., Bennett, L., & Seilhamer, R. (2018, April 23) Changing Mobile Learning Practices: A Multiyear Study 2012–2016. EDUCAUSE Review (n.d.). https://er.educause.edu/articles/2018/4/changing-mobile-learning-practices-a-multiyear-study-2012-2016

Colin, M., Eastman, S., Merrill, M., & Rockey, A. (2021, March 19) Mobile Technology to Achieve Teaching Goals. EDUCAUSE Review. https://er.educause.edu/articles/2021/3/leveraging-mobile-technology-to-achieve-teaching-goals#:~:text=Whether%20making%20use%20of%20simulations,concepts%2C%20skills%2C%20and%20methods