The Diffusion of Mobile Devices in the Classroom

by Devonee Trivett

for Diffusion of Technology in Education, EDUC 7102

with Dr. Green, Walden University, Summer 2013

Mobile Devices, such as Smartphones or Tablets in the classroom• Mobile devices, such as Smartphones or Tablets in the classroom, are innovations that will foreseeably be adopted by a majority of students in the near future, because mobile devices have reached a point of critical mass acceptance in our society.

The main advantages aiding diffusion are:

Advantage #1: Relevance for Today• Mobile Devices make learning accessible to the 21st Century Learner, and it supports the skills

needed such as personal management, digital literacy, collaboration, creativity and communication.

Advantage #2: effective assessment

• Mobile Devices in the classroom provide assessment capabilities through feedback from peers and from teachers for planning, implementing, assessing and revising.

Advantage #3: students as innovators

• Mobile devices, and the myriad of capabilities they open up for individual learning, allow for students themselves to be innovators.

Advantage #4: Enhanced Collaboration

•Collaboration activities are enhanced with Itablets and other mobile devices is enhanced.

Barriers include:• Cost, Investment of Time

Training, • A necessary period of trial and

error,• And, mainly, the existing

culture of resistance within educational institutions. Existing social and political systems that resist adoption of this innovation is the main barrier to full adoption of mobile devices in the classroom.

• This is most likely due to fear or lack of understanding.

The main barrier, the late majority• Existing social and political systems that resist adoption of

this innovation is the main barrier to full adoption of mobile devices in the classroom, however, convincing early adopters is the most effective strategy for achieving full adoption of mobile devices.

Most students themselves will not resist this technology

•Most high school students today are already adept at using mobile devices for research, communication and problem solving.

• Most high school students today are already adept at using mobile devices for research, communication and problem solving because computer and Internet use at home has reached a critical mass.

Studentsembrace ed tech

Opportunities for Learning with Mobile Devices in the Classroom are

• curriculum-based learning through student blogging, film-making for presentations online and in the classroom

• Mobile devices, such as the Ipad, in today's classroom provide opportunities for collaboration and information gathering in all subject areas. 

Resistance minimization strategy: connectiing to existing values and goals

• What is to be gained for students in the long run? Successful attainment of learning goals. Educating resistant adopters, such as decision makers and instructors, is worthwhile. This requires a strategic plan for introduction and sustaining of mobile devices in the classroom through connecting the goals of educators to the logical adoption of technology in their classroom.

Strategic Plan for Diffusion of Mobile Devices

• Resistance to this technology can be minimized through the use of on-going professional development and trainings on the many uses and benefits of mobile devices in the classroom,

• Information exchange among peers, and

• instructor-monitored ‘kid blogs” which make safety and control manageable.

Diffusion Research Supports Adoption

• Rogers (2003) explains that the adoption of an innovation, such as the mobile device in the classroom, will need to reach a critical mass, and based on the findings of the research of  Rossing, Miller, & Cecil (2012), this is, or will be. or already has been attained for adoption of mobile devices in the classroom.

The current numbers indicate significant growth in adoption of these devices in the classroom.

4.5 Million (and Counting) iPads in U.S. Schools Hill, S. (2012) http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/tablets-invading-the-classroom/

The future is promising for mobile devices in the classroom.

• Using this technology supports a social constructivist approach to teaching and learning.

• This innovation allows teachers to differentiate their instruction to different learning styles

• it allows also students to apply their learning in simulated environments with other students, and

• it has a proven record for opening up learning beyond the classroom walls (Rossing, Miller, & Cecil).

Mobile Devices in the Classroom are Diffusing at an astronomical rate

800,000- 1 million

5 mill by 2015

600,000

500,000

400,000

300,000

200,000

100,000

Source: http://www.engagemobile.com/ipod-vs-iphone-vs-ipad-adoption-rates-one-graph-that-will-blow-your-mind/

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Number of Mobile Devices Available in Classroom Per Year

800,000- 1 million

5 mill by 2015

600,000

500,000

400,000

300,000

200,000

100,000

Source: http://www.engagemobile.com/ipod-vs-iphone-vs-ipad-adoption-rates-one-graph-that-will-blow-your-mind/

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Mobile Devices will most likely be adopted in our future classrooms.• Mobile devices have reached a

point of critical mass acceptance in our society, and it will our students to be prepared for this phenomenon through investment in these devices and through professional development opportunities for our teachers.

• Steve Jobs championed innovation and accessibility of technology, He developed mobile devices, specifically in hopes that they would make it to the classroom, in order to bring the benefits of technology to more people. His goal was to make quality education available to all.

Vision: “Quality Education Accessible to All”-Steve Jobs

References

• Annual Conference on Distance Teaching and Learning. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.uwex.edu/disted/conference/   

• Allsop, Y. (2011, August 28). Children's Perception of Learning with Educational Games Using iPod Touches. Online Submission

• Bonnington, C. (Jan. 23, 2012). iPad a solid education tool, study reports. Wired @ http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/23/tech/innovation/ipad-solid-education-tool/index.html

• Hill, S. (2012) http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/tablets-invading-the-classroom

• International Society for Technology in Education. (n.d.).  Retrieved from    http://www.iste.org/welcome.aspx• Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2008). Diffusion and integration of technology in education. Baltimore, MD: Dr.

David Thornburg• Quillen, I. (October 15, 2010) Schools open doors to students' mobile devices. Education Week @ http://

www.edweek.org/dd/articles/2010/10/20/01mobile.h04.html• Rogers, E.(2003). Diffusion of innovations New York, NY: Free Press.• Rossing J, Miller W, Cecil A (2012) Stamper S. iLearning: The Future of Higher Education? Student Perceptions on Learning

with Mobile Tablets. Journal Of The Scholarship Of Teaching And Learning [serial online]:1-26. Available from: ERIC, Ipswich, MA.

References (continued)