Implementing mobile learning projects in different contexts

Research on mobile learning is closely related to the implementation of mobile learning projects in different contexts, in particular education and everyday life (see e.g. Kukulska-Hulme et al., 2009). Projects are characterized by different approaches to teaching and learning, locations, and a broad variety of technologies (see e.g. Faux et al., 2006); they deal with mobile technologies as topic or they support their use as learning and teaching tools (Seipold, 2008). As the rapidly developing field of mobile learning gives rise to a growing amount of projects, MoLeaP is conceptualized as a resource and tool for education professionals who are interested in mobile learning, especially in sharing their experiences and projects with others, or in learning from established practice. The database, which is based on the idea of non-proprietary and collaborative knowledge building, aims to provide an opportunity for the systematic gathering of practice,

• to disseminate experiences gained from such projects in order to make practice less ephemeral,
• to provide opportunities for the systematic gathering of practice,
• to enable synergies,
• to contribute to sustainability in innovation of teaching, learning and research, as well as
• to enhance the replicability of mobile learning projects.

We hope that the potential for educational exchange and knowledge sharing, the innovative use of mobile technologies in educational contexts as well as support for learners and their technology-related cultural practices (see e.g. Pachler et al., 2009) will be an incentive for educational professionals to contribute to the database and/or to learn from projects. As the fast growing content of already existing websites with resources attests, such resources are willingly accepted, frequently used and contributed to by education professionals in order to find new ideas to inform their pedagogical practice.

"And don't forget to bring your mobile"

MoLeaP is part of the project "And don't forget to bring your mobile" - Informing educational target groups about mobile learning opportunities (project holder: Judith Seipold), which is funded by the Centre for Excellence in Work-Based Learning for Education Professionals (WLE Centre) at the Institute of Education (IoE), University of London.

References:

Faux, F., McFarlane, A., Roche, N., & Facer, K. (2006). Handhelds: Learning with handheld technologies: Futurelab Handbook. Bristol: Futurelab.

Kukulska-Hulme, A., Sharples, M., Milrad, M., Arnedillo-Sánchez, I., & Vavoula, G. (2009). Innovation in Mobile Learning: a European Perspective. International Journal of Mobile and Blended Learning, 1(1), 13-35.

Pachler, N., Bachmair, B., & Cook, J. (2009). Mobile learning: structures, agency, practices. New York: Springer.

Seipold, J. (2008). Mobile phones in school: Selected m-learning projects from Great Britain and the German speaking countries. In T. Hug (Ed.), Media, Knowledge & Education. Exploring new Spaces, Relations and Dynamics in Digital Media Ecologies. Innsbruck: Innsbruck University Press - iup.