Studies indicate that the LEAST effective method of educating children is seminar style classes. The fact is, most humans learn much better in a hands-on approach to education. Our schools have not done the greatest job in keeping interest up in the classroom. I think this is one of the reasons that a higher number of children today have been prescribed such drugs as Ritalin. They are now so used to a hands-on approach to everryday issues, the mere thought of a static classroom is enough to bore them.
Mobile, hands-on, educational methods are ripe for mobile computing. In a mobile classroom environment, each student visits the appropriate educational area, while instructions, audio commentary, teacher notes and any useful information is provided via mobile computer. This allows students to work at their own pace and revisit any information that is needed. Once the lesson is complete, mobile applications can provide testing on the spot to determine the child's level of understanding.
Of course, the other advantage is in teaching children how to integrate mobile technology into their daily lives. Folks, it is the future...embrace it now or fall behind.
Currently, I have converted my iPaq into my daughter's educational companion. I have downloaded a wealth of information into it, as well as encyclopedias and dictionaries that she can use as needed. Another important function is the use of the calendar and task list. I have taught her how to properly use these applications so that she can learn how to better manage her time and remember assignment details at a later time. The benefit has been visible in her school work, but it has also insired her to look critically at the mobile computing environment, and the ways it can improve her life.
So far my family computing study has gone pretty well. I have set up a database to track her progress and the pros and cons of her use of mobile applications. So far the positive elements have far outweighed any negatives.
I plan to provide updates on this issue in the near future.
Printer-friendly version
