ELearning+vs+MLearning

E-Learning vs. M-Learning Distance Education, E-Learning and M-Learning are an evolution of one another. Distance education is exactly what the title describes learning away from the institutions home site. It “is a process to create and provide access to learning when the source of information and the learners are separated by time and distance, or both” (Miller 1993). In the past asynchronous technologies were used. These include email, video and audio cassettes, message boards or forums, print materials and facsimile. As time and technologies have developed, more synchronous technologies have been used with the introduction of video and web conferencing.  E-Learning and M-Learning is the use of resources within a classroom setting. E-Learning stands for Electronic learning and M-Learning takes this to a new level Mobile learning. E-learning is "pedagogy empowered by digital technology" (Nicholls 2008). Examples of E-Learning are [|Moodle], Wikis, [|Blogs], [|Screencasting] and the use of [|Web 2.0 applications]. M-Learning is learning through a mobile device such as an Ipod Touch, Iphone, Ipad, Blackberry and PDA. It is relatively new and strong amongst those who are ‘digitally native’ whilst e-learning is more comfortable for ‘digital immigrants’. Louise Duncan from Shepparton High School has recently set up a [|pilot program] with the use of Ipod touches in her Year 8 Science classroom and for homework. They used a program called Studywiz and utilized the E-locker capability for their homework. Different Apple applications were used for different experiments, answering quizzes, search internet, look at maps and submit assignments (Perkins 2009). Similarly this could be implemented in a dance classroom though uploading of podcasts on choreographers and performers, creating YouTube clips, music recording through Italk, group collaboration through applications such as [|Springnote] or [|Nimbuzz], Note taking through [|Writepad] and digital scrapbooking through [|Evernote] and of course its traditional use of music storage through the Ipod function. Other applications used could be gFlash+ for creation of flashcards to enhance revision skills and dictionary applications for meaning searching. Whilst this may pose logistical problems, of students not all having mobile devices and school networking and “wifi” issues, it is a lot simpler to execute than all students having a laptop though the laptop in school programs. A way to combat this in an interim is for the teacher to have complete access to these devices and the use of a cable into a data projector or interactive whiteboard. This eliminates the need to laptop cables, DVDs and other software. Another possible solution is allowing students to use their own devices within the classroom. Implications of this include a digital citizenship policy and teaching the importance of resposible use of the internet and associated functions.

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