# K-12 School Computer Networking/Chapter 25/Are American k-12 ready for Mobile Learning? Observations of Mobile Learning in Japanese and American K-12 classes

Are American k-12 ready for Mobile Learning? Observations of Mobile Learning in Japanese and American K-12 classes

## What is Mobile Learning ( m-learning) ?

Mobile Learning ( m-learning) is an educational approach of use of mobile or wireless devices. Students can m-learning from any location at any time. They can be done within school classrooms, workplaces, at home, in field work and in a bus.
    Mobile tools;
      * mobile phones
      * smartphones
      * PDAs
      * MP3/ MP4 players (e.g. iPODs)
      * handheld gaming devices (e.g. Sony PSP, Nintendo DS)
      * Ultramobile PCs (UMPCs)
      * mini notebooks or netbooks
      * handheld GPS
      * specialist portable technologies used in science, engineering, agricultural study
    Mobile technology do;
      * connectivity for downloading, uploading
      * online working via wireless networks, mobile phone networks or both
      * linking to institutional systems such as virtual learning environments and management information systems
More than 1.5 million mobile phones are used in the world. A half Billion new cell phones sold every year which is more than three times the number of personal computers. In the US, 76% of students age 12-18 have their own cell phone. USA k-12 schools are banning cell phones while millions of students in China, Japan and Germany are using their mobile phones to learn English. In Asia, like Japan, has been developing mobile learning system using games to teach. Japan m-Learning Consortium defined the m-learning as follows. "for the office workers who have their outside-work, or for the students to use their time in the train, the technology is expected to be used any place and any time to study." wikiversity
More Japanese own cell phones than PCs. English m-learning system has been commonly used and has been a major industry in Japan. Ubiquitous cell phone in Japan helps people to move and learn and cellphones now have the power of a PC from the1990's.

## History

The first handheld portable computer, Dynabook, was invented by Alan Kay and his colleagues from Xerox Palo Alto Research Center [PARC] in 1968. in 1990's, Palm corporation offered grants to universities and companies who has studied and tested the use of Palm OS platform for Mobile Learning. Asian and European universities joined to tested the use of mobile learning. Knowledgility made the first mobile learning modules for CCNA, A+ and MCSE certification using the core tools that later became LMA.
in 2000s, the European Commission funds the MOBIlearn project, which is to create a system to support learning using mobile technology. The project team consisted of representatives from more than 15 organizations from seven European countries plus one Middle Eastern country.

## Japan

North America is behind in the mobile space. Data service in North America is much more expensive than in Japan. Japanese educational software developers believe more smarter learning software will be created for m-learning.
In Japan, the phone is a ubiquitous platform that uses Java. This creates a flexible environment for applications running on mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), TV set-top boxes, and printers. The Ubiquitous Platform Project has been joined by Hitachi, Panasonic, KDDI, NTT DOCOMO, OKI, NEC, Mitsubishi Electric and Pasco.
Cell phone culture has played a major role in encouraging use in young Japanese. Some cell phone novels became great hits among teenagers and got published as actual books and TV series. The Learning Game Software published for cell phones is now available for Nintendo DS in Japan. Gadget-loving Japanese even created a cell phone college class. The most popular subject used in the Japanese m-learning system is language education. Language education is a huge industry in Japan.
One of the Japanese m-learning language education programs is ALC Press Inc., a publisher of foreign-language study materials and NTT DoCoMo.
NTT DoCoMo's i-mode mobile Internet service has more than 40 million subscribers and lists study and reference sites on its main menu. Last month, No. 4 on DoCoMo's "dictionary list" was Pocket Eijiro (Japanese), an English-language learning site provided by ALC. The Pocket Eijiro site started in December 2002 ojr.org. ALC takes a scientific approach. The company carefully examines their learning technology with psychologists, cognitive neuroscientists and information scientists. The company's software allows teachers to monitor their students' progress. Teachers can check out how often their students work, how correctly they answer questions and how quickly they can respond. It uses artificial intelligence technology to find the users' strengths and weaknesses.

## Problems regarding the use of cell phones in School

The ethical and moral issue regarding cell phone use is a major topic of discussion in schools in Japan and in the U.S. How should teachers deal with phones in class? Cell phones are viewed as disruptive and unwanted in class rooms. This attitude is similar to the arguments about the use of calculators in schools over twenty years ago . In Japan, teachers allow students to use cell phones for learning both inside and outside the classroom. No cell phones can be used in a classroom unless it is chosen to be used as a learning tool. There is software that allows teachers to turn off the cell phone computers during exams or other times when they should not be used.
Use of cell phones for non educational purposes is banned in Japan, where the cell phone is a fundamental part of people's life styles. They should be left in their lockers/shoe boxes unless specifically allowed for instruction. JapanToday

## Use of cell phones outside of school, How about using cell phones for a field trip or for a homework assignment?

Cell phones are putting tremendous capabilities. Students can access music, so why not a homework assignment? A lecture? Notes on a painting they're looking at? Commentary on a project that was presented by a student? If students can text message each other, why can't they text message a teacher during a field trip with their impressions?
Edutopia.org blogs say they exchange cell phone numbers with their students and use them to cultivate strong relationships through checking up on absent kids, helping students with problems after class, and contacting parents. Can cell phones be used inappropriately? Sure, these teachers say, but it's the behavior, not the device, that's the problem.
One teacher set up a scavenger hunt for a museum field trip where students had to send her photos of the exhibits and items on the list over their phones. A physical education teacher sent a homework assignment via cellphones, a video of a golf lesson that students have to observe and critique.
What about the cell phone calendar to track study reminders, homework & assignment due dates?
There is a new iPhone application from Blackboard, a company that helps automate schools and colleges. Through the application, students can check their homework, e-mail teachers and see their grades, all while listening to music and careening through back lots on a skateboard. bits.blogs.nytimes.com.
Modern cell phones offer a variety of capabilities which are being used effectively by educators.

## Cell Phone for personal use and for school work

Laptops are deemed acceptable, but not cell phones. Digital cameras are ok but not an iPod? The cell phone is viewed as a cheating tool and a platform for cyber bullying, or just to keep in touch with friends and for parents to keep in touch with their children in times of emergency.
Children do not know when to use cell phones for personal use and for school work. Teachers have to teach them how to balance personal life and school work cell phone use. It is easy for teachers to give students excuses to avoid new learning tools and to stick to traditional, old-fashioned learning styles.
At present, cell phone use is banned in NYC Schools.
However, Mayor Bloomberg announced the Wireless Pilot Program for New York City Police and Fire Departments so that they can quickly access and download information including city maps, building plans and federal and state counter-terrorism and crime databases from police vehicles and fire and EMS apparatus. govtech.com
However, more and more officers are looking at a cell phone screen and laughing when they are on duty and should be controlling traffic. Misuse may be hard to eradicate.
Mayor Bloomberg's message to students, " You come to school to learn, not to play games or send text messages." However, US secretary of Education, Arne Ducan, came out in support of cell phone use saying, " Finding ways to use cell phones to deliver lesson plans to students would improve education and meet federal guidelines."
Students have the access to information they want. Is getting instant answers from internet "cheating?" Are teachers teaching students how to get info? or teaching only to memorize? Teachers tend to be threatened by new technology but teachers who cannot use technology could be helped through mobile learning. One teacher commented on a blog that when his DVD player did not work while he was giving a lecture, one student called Sanyo's 1800 number to get a solution. He was so pleased.
ACU, Abilene Christian University, is the first university in the nation to provide iPhone or iPod touch to all incoming freshmen. There are 2 functionalities that make the iPhone useful at Abilene Christian University:
* mymobile application to search for class information like the teacher’s name, and 3D map of campus
* using Xythos (online document management system) to read PDF files, assignments, and more.

## M-learning tools

Some Mobile Learning Tools are, PDA, Podcast, Nintendo DS, Mobile phone, iPod touch, PSP A PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) is a computer that fits in your hand. Podcasting is online audio content that is delivered via an RSS feed. DS is a dual-screen handheld game console. One of the DS's games,Professor Kageyama's Math Training (Nintendo DS), is getting a great review in Japan.
The biggest feature of Nintendo DS, as a mobile device for the learning tool, is that people use actual games for study. DS, which developed the package with Sharp, says it hopes to persuade schools to take the bundle and issue a DS to each student. Once students and teachers are connected through the DS Wi-Fi link they should be able to share study materials instantly, with students also filing some work and test answers on the handhelds.
DS is widely used in Japanese k-12 classrooms. The supplied PC software will also make it simple for teachers to keep track of student progress and, theoretically, cut down on administrative paperwork. Nintendo aims to start selling the as-yet-unpriced DS Classroom tool from next February, initially in Japan, with overseas launches likely if the reception is positive.
U.S.A. is also opening up for mobile learning.
M4E software use cellphones as homework assignment tools. Students can respond to tests as homework assignments away from campus.messaging4education.com
Muppet Elmo, on the children's television show Sesame Street, is recommending cell phones for children. According to a recent PBS KIDS Ready To Learn Study in October 19, 2006, Parents reported that videos of Sesame Street’s “Learning Letters with Elmo” streamed on cell phones by GoTV Network increased literacy skills among preschoolers pbskids.org
The iPod, the most ubiquitous student tool in America, is enabling students to tap into lectures on their own time, and in the K–12 space, podcasting is opening up the classroom to parents and to the community.
    Below are some of the activities that utilize mobile devices for learning outcomes.;
      * Assist teachers and students in scheduling tasks and appointments
      * Digital Storytelling
      * Phone Casting
      * Photo sharing
      * Mobile Video casting
      * Google SMS
      * iTunes U
      * Surveys/Polls
      * homework Alerts ; such as homeworknow

## The future of m-learning

Educators and cognitive scientists need to explore what mobiles technology for learning means, and start to get an idea of mobile technology as capable of supporting us to enhance students' learning experience.
K-12 students in USA and Japan --- this is a generation that does not have to be taught how to use these mobile communication devices. Unlike PCs,it is not difficult for teachers to learn how to use mobile communication tools. Students have their own cell phone and they are very motivated to use them as a learning tool. Teachers have to teach children when to use and when not to use cell phones in schools.
Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein has launched the NYC21C initiative in May 2009. The NYC Department of Education is considering the use of cell phones as an educational tool because cell phones are more affordable and accessible than PCs. Both in Japan and U.S., tech-loving teachers are expected to soon be distributing material over the cell phone, and polling students in the class to see how they are progressing.

## References

Hansell, Saul (2009). Dad, I Need an iPhone to Do My Homework , Retrieved March 27, 2009, from http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/27/dad-i-need-an-iphone-to-do-my-homework/
Houser, Chris; Thomton, Patricia; Kluge, David(2002) Mobile Learning : Cell Phones and PDAs for Education., Kinjo Gakuin University.
McNicol, Tony (2004). Language E-Learning on the Move, Retrieved April 05, 2004, from http://ojr.org/japan/wireless/1080854640.php