The metaphor for the context of my research on the impacts of mobile media technologies on education is the automobile. I feel that this helps explain how mobile media technologies are evolving and how we can understand how to utilize these tools in education. The automobile was originally designed as a substitute for the horse drawn carriage. It was hoped that it would provide a more convenient and dependable way for folks to travel. Over the years, many technological advancements changed the automobile from just a transportation machine, to an entertainment vehicle. Modern suspension, more powerful engines, audiophile stereos, GPS systems and computers monitoring many of the functions have made the automobile's value much more about the quality of the journey than just merely arriving at the destination. With all these advancements though, the automobile will always be viewed in part as a transportation machine. Mobile media technologies have followed a similar design path. The telephone was originally designed as a substitute for the telegraph. It was hoped that it would provide a more convenient and dependable way for folks to communicate. Over the years, many technological advancements have changed the telephone from just a communication tool to a highly powered entertainment and computing device. Modern wireless connectivity untethered the telephone and brought a new mobility to our communications. Bluetooth, digital cameras, internet access, extended battery life, audiophile stereo capabilities, ever increasing memory and cloud computing have made the mobile phone's value much more about the quality of the journey than merely enabling people to talk to each other. With all of these advancements though, mobile media technologies will always be viewed in part as social communication devices.
In this cycle of action research, I have come to a better understanding of how these powerful mobile media tools can be integrated into the learning environment. By recognizing the innate social nature of these tools, we can be in a good position to understand how to minimize the distraction to the classroom and build upon the strengths of these tools. While we are strategizing ways to integrate their powerful computing and Audio Video capabilities, mobile media technologies are already having a positive impact on our learning beyond the walls of the classroom. I have learned a great deal about these technologies and about how I can be a more effective technology steward in my digital habitat from the experience of this cycle.
In this cycle of action research, I have come to a better understanding of how these powerful mobile media tools can be integrated into the learning environment. By recognizing the innate social nature of these tools, we can be in a good position to understand how to minimize the distraction to the classroom and build upon the strengths of these tools. While we are strategizing ways to integrate their powerful computing and Audio Video capabilities, mobile media technologies are already having a positive impact on our learning beyond the walls of the classroom. I have learned a great deal about these technologies and about how I can be a more effective technology steward in my digital habitat from the experience of this cycle.