Summary of mobile learning session – brainstorming session on 17.04.07 Participants: Netta Lloyd-Jones, Stephanie Hobson, Sue Hutchings, Richard Francis, Irmgard Huppe Topic: Different aspects and areas of mobile learning with regard to placements Accessibility issues Mobile devices should not be used for placement assessment 1 TARGET GROUP Who belongs to our target group? Students, mentors or students and mentors? First and foremost a pilot project has to target students – aim is to support student’s learning on placements with regard to special problems encountered when working in practice and possibly under difficult circumstances Special target groups to be explored: Non-traditional out-reach (places where student have to work on their own, like for example private homes) Piloting – volunteers – research project Consider ethical aspect and ethical approval procedures 2 DEVICE Choice of devices What do we provide? What resources to we have? How can it all be linked? One mobile device, the Nokia 770 (internet tablet) was available (thanks to Richard) and was examined regarding its functionality and suitability for various purposes. This was of great support to come up with a first specification attempt. Resulting ad-hoc specification for desirable mobile device:
Sound: Audio recording and playback - We discussed the desirability from a pedagogic perspective of encouraging placements students to keep an audio diary of reflection pre-, during and post-placement. (Rationale added by Richard) Network access via wi-fi and (optionally Bluetooth) - Though we reflected on the limited availability of wifi, we thought network connectivity via wifi and Bluetooth would encourage students to access online resources and update their reflections online before, during and after placement. (Rationale added by Richard) Notebook facility USB connection
Device has to be suitable to link in with Brookes Virtual Suitable fields for pilot project: (reasons above: out reach areas for placements, pilots
already running, size of potential target group) 1. Mental Health 2. Learning Disability Nursing 3. Occupational Therapy
3 AIMS Agree overall aim:
Identify placements where mobile devices make sense Need for immediate access to mobile devices with respect to (examples – to be completed):
Time saving Mentor access
Identified placement areas of special interest for pilot project: IPL” placements where students from different fields work in the same area – together (pilot project is running – can we tap into that?)“ Focus on communication – ‘action learning set’ Peer support – immediacy! Can mobile learning help to provide variation of ‘protected time’ with mentor? Focus on reflective learning – dialogue. Leeds logically to stressing the importance of a ‘must-have’ facility: Voice recording Action points (provided by Netta on 24.04.96, following my invitation - she will be upgraded from 'reviewer' to 'author' from now on - if anyone else wants this please comment!) 1. 2. 3. 4. Sue to contact Maggie Stiles /Linda Kenward re IPL practice pilot Irmgard to contact Jill and Peter re potential for LD target group Richard agreed to fund Sue Hutch re conference Thursday May 10th , 10 - 11.30 a.m.Next meeting