As the school year restarts, questions are being asked as to whether mobile phones are a force for good, or an example of technology gone awry. Two forthcoming conferences in London will explore the potential for mobiles in education.

A few weeks ago the mobile phone celebrated its twentieth anniversary at a time when 25% of 7 to 10 year olds in the UK have a mobile phone. In the next three years the Yankee Group predicts that 54 percent of 8 to 12 year olds will have mobile phones.

Tools For Education

The take up of mobile phones among people has happened so fast that the world of education is having to play catch up. Graham Brown-Martin, founder of Handheld Learning that promotes the use of mobile in teaching and learning said that “Phones have become embedded in kids lives and the establishment hasn’t really caught up. It’s still busy worrying about teaching Word and Powerpoint when the kids are uploading stuff from their phones to YouTube” he said.”It is clear that now there are more phones than people in the UK that education needs to work with the tools of today to develop the skills of tomorrow” commented Mike Short VP R & D, O2 Group and Chairman Mobile Data Association.

“Mobiles are now able to be tools for education when linked to appropriate educational software and learning platforms that can assist with a variety situations. For example using camera phone and mobile email for submitting reports during field trips; internet research, as the first point of access to the web for many countries in the world, particularly with higher access speeds; collaborative learning, in the classroom or in a wider home or community setting - a great early example of educational social networks and self help groups, well below the hype umbrella of MOBILE 2.0 and home based or virtual learning” said Short.

Forthcoming Conferences

The Mobile Learning Network promotes mobile learning, primarily in the English Further Education sector, via supported shared cost mobile learning projects. It has a number of pilots in place and is holding a launch conference on 25th September in London: Mobile Learning Network. Also in London the third Handheld Learning 2007 Conference is taking place on 10th–12th October to explore the potential for mobiles in education.

In preparation for debate at the Handheld conference, Teachers TV have produced a video that takes a look at the world of young people with mobile phones, and the impact on schools and education. It asks if it sensible to ban mobiles use in schools or should this device be given a place in lessons and learning? The thirty minute programme can be watched here: Mobile Phones, Mobile Minds

With acknowledgement to and more information from:

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