Future+Possibilities

=**Future Possibilities**=

**Why is this trend significant for education?**
New devices and technologies are emerging everyday. The Horizon Report: 2012 (K-12 Edition) mentions that in the K-12 sector, applications are the fastest growing in the mobile space. Future technologies "will be able to present textbooks, create data visualizations, aid library research, and foster contextual learning" (EDUCAUSE, 2010, pp. 2). With the evolution of better technologies, students will have better access and support for collaborative projects and applications as well as multimedia creations (EDUCAUSE, 2010). Students will be able to access data on the go, whenever and wherever they want. Students will approach problem solving and learning in a whole new way.

**How will this impact teaching and learning?**[[image:mobilelearningeder671/MC900438403.JPG width="135" height="209" align="right"]]
Some school districts are starting to implement a "bring your own device" (BYOD) program. BYOD programs are becoming more common as there is a shift in attitudes as education is starting to better understand smartphone capabilities in the learning environment (NMC Horizon Report: 2012 K-12 Edition, 2012). Teachers/Administrators will need to put policies in place to explain acceptable use and expectations of students using their own device.

Teachers will need to help students develop and acquire digital media literacy skills across the curriculum (NMC Horizon Report: 2012 K-12 Edition, 2012). They should be aware of new technologies and promote the use and application of beneficial technologies to help support the teaching of learning outcomes.

**What are the potential pitfalls and challenges?**
While the advantages to mobile learning are plenty, so to are the disadvantages. Although this situation may be remedied in the coming years with the development of increasingly advanced smart phone technology. Disadvantages may include:
 * implementation and management of large scale mobile learning projects
 * management of individual devices
 * the potential for learner distraction and unethical behaviour
 * privacy of information
 * diversity in the platforms (Apple, Blackberry, Android)
 * physical structure of the device (screen size, keyboard size, battery) (Mobile Learning Made Easy, 2012)

**Where is it going?**
Mobile learning is gaining popularity in many contexts. The advantages of a small hand-held device capable of facilitating learning, collaboration, and investigation are tremendous. As mLearning continues to increase in popularity, users can expect:
 * wider adoption into professional organizations (business/education)
 * increased infrastructure and accessibility
 * more powerful tools (enhanced screens and keyboards, memory)
 * increased connectivity

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**What research has been done on this trend?**
While a considerable amount of research has been done in the field of "mLearning" there are no succinct pedagogical approaches that have been widely accepted to this point. As such, "mLearning" remains an emerging technology, currently under review.

EDUCUASE (2010). //Things you should know about... Mobile apps for learning//. Retrieved from http://www.educause.edu/library/resources/7-things-you-should-know-about-mobile-apps-learning

Johnson, L., Adams, S., & Cummins, M. (2012). //NMC Horizon report: 2012 K-12 edition.// Austin, Texas. The New Media Consortium.

//Mobile learning made easy// (2012). Retrieved from http://www.mobl21.com/