Mobile Learning: A Handbook for Developers, Educators, and Learners

A Handbook for Improving Education by Delivering on the Promise of Mobile Learning

For educators and developers alike, mobile technologies represent a significant source of untapped potential. The authors of Mobile Learning have taken on the important task of creating alignment among teachers, developers, and learners, helping you contribute to the next phase in both classroom and informal education. In this book, you′ll learn how the science of learning can guide you in the goal of supporting learning with educational apps designed for tablets.

Mobile Learning serves as a guide to every step in the process of building transformative mobile learning from development business models, design principles, and best practices to logistical guidance for the safe, effective, and responsible use of mobile apps in the classroom. Resources like The Great App Checklist will help you determine whether apps meet the needs of your audience, whether you′re developing the apps yourself or using them with students. Mobile Learning is the only book to bring the goals of educators and developers into alignment for the good of students.

The research–based ideas in Mobile Learning frame the issue of technology in the classroom in a uniquely balanced and effective way. Read this book to learn just how far–reaching the potential of educational apps are, particularly for preschool and special populations. If today′s students are to succeed in the marketplace after graduation, educators must address higher–order thinking skills and digital literacy. In Mobile Learning, you′ll discover how teachers and developers can work together to meet the most urgent educational needs of our time.

Preface ix

Acknowledgments xiii

Chapter 1 Changing Education with Mobile Learning 1

A Brief History of Educational Technology: What Will Revolutionize the System? 3

Mobile Learning: Reaching Kids Today 6

What Is Mobile Learning? 8

Benefits and Challenges of Mobile Learning 9

How to Make Mobile Learning Work 16

Conclusion 19

Notes 20

Section 1 The Mobile Classroom 23

Chapter 2 The Science of Learning 25

Introduction 25

Information Processing and Learning 27

Other Critical Facets of Learning 33

Implications for Mobile Learning 37

Conclusion 45

Notes 46

Chapter 3 What Is It About These Devices? 49

Connected 50

Aware 52

Multimodal 55

Familiar 56

Personal 57

Comprehensive 59

Consolidated 60

Portable 61

Relevant 62

Secure 63

Conclusion 64

Notes 64

Chapter 4 Creating the Mobile Classroom 67

Theoretical Foundations 68

Instructional Methods 70

Problem–Based, Inquiry–Based, and Experiential Learning 77

Alternative Learning Environments 78

Conclusion 82

Notes 82

Chapter 5 Higher–Order Thinking Skills and Digital Fluency 85

Higher–Order Thinking Skills 88

Leveraging Mobile Learning 93

Critical Thinking 104

Classrooms for Higher–Order Thinking 107

Conclusion 109

Notes 110

Chapter 6 Instructional Management and Levels of Technology Access 115

Mobile Learning Programs 117

Levels of Access in the Mobile Classroom 122

1:Teacher 123

1:Many 125

1:1 128

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) 132

Conclusion 137

Notes 137

Section 2 Creating the Mobile Learning Experience 141

Chapter 7 Mobile Technology s Defining Features 143

Hardware 144

Software 149

Accessories 156

Conclusion 159

Notes 160

Chapter 8 The Educational App Development Process 161

Research Stage: Is It a Good Idea? 162

Building the Right Team: Capturing a Variety of Expertise 164

Building the App 169

Case Study: App Development at SAS

Curriculum Pathways 175

Conclusion 177

Notes 177

Chapter 9 Design and User Experience 179

Designing a Great App: Make It Easy 179

Putting Great Design to Work 187

Conclusion 191

Notes 192

Chapter 10 Data, Evaluation, and Learning Analytics 195

Asking the Questions 196

Gathering Data 200

Sample Data Collection 206

Mobile Data Analytics: Turning Data into Information 209

Conclusion 212

Notes 213

Chapter 11 The Business of Educational Apps 215

The Educational App Market Is 215

How to Sell Your App: Pricing Models 222

How Users Buy Your App 228

Marketing 230

Conclusion 233

Notes 233

Section 3 Mobile Learning for Everyone 237

Chapter 12 Informal Learning 239

Developing Lifelong Learners 240

Bridging Formal and Informal Learning 241

Conclusion 251

Notes 252

Chapter 13 Engaging Young Users: Apps for Preschoolers 255

Key Skills for Preschool Apps 256

What Makes an Engaging Preschool App? 264

Challenges 270

Conclusion 276

Notes 277

Chapter 14 Making Accessible Apps: Autism and Visual Impairment 281

Introduction 281

Advantages of the iPad for Special Populations 281

Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) 285

Visual Impairment 291

Developing Accessible Apps 297

Conclusion 300

Notes 301

Chapter 15 Balancing Power: Data Use, Privacy, and Digital Citizenship 305

Privacy 306

Privacy Legislation 311

Open Issues 312

Digital Citizenship: Teaching Responsible Use 318

Conclusion 321

Notes 322

Chapter 16 Mobile Learning Today and Tomorrow 325

Introduction 325

Making Mobile Learning Work 326

The Future 333

Conclusion 338

Notes 339

Appendix A List of Apps by Chapter 341

Appendix B The Great App Checklist 359

How to Use This Checklist 360

The Great App Checklist 361

Notes 363

About the Authors 365

Index 367

SCOTT MCQUIGGAN leads SAS Curriculum Pathways, an interdisciplinary team focused on the development of no–cost educational software. He developed his first app, SAS Flash Cards, in 2010.

LUCY KOSTURKO is a research scientist and curriculum specialist for SAS Curriculum Pathways. Kosturko′s research interests include self–regulated learning and educational technologies.

JAMIE MCQUIGGAN is a writer for SAS Institute Inc. She coauthored Implement, Improve and Expand your Statewide Longitudinal Data System: Creating a Culture of Data in Education.

JENNIFER SABOURIN is a research scientist and a software developer at SAS Institute Inc. Her research focuses on educational technologies and data analytics.