JISC

Overview

A large number of learners are challenged by new technology and are not benefitting from the possibilities mobile applications (apps) have in supporting their learning or work.  We want to see how we can use existing apps, designed for a one purpose can be repurposed to support different learning outcomes.  The experience will be close to a research project, presenting a configuration of apps, on a smart phone, to learners with little or no explanation.

Objectives

The aim of this project is to see if currently available smart phone apps can be used to help learners who lack confidence in IT improve their research and problem solving skills. To achieve this we aim to challenge conventional wisdom and design a minimally invasive educational environment (MIEE) without specific learning activities and with minimal or no instruction, (as demonstrated by Sugata Mitra in India). The project will use mobile devices to investigate how extant apps, designed for a multitude of purposes can be repurposed to support different learning outcomes. The project will present a configuration of apps to learners via a smart phone with a little or no explanatory context and hopes to stimulate the learner to develop initiative, problem solving and research skills.

Anticipated Outputs and Outcomes

• A group of participants to become more confident with smart phone technology, increase research and problem solving skills
• Development of staff skills in
• finding and selecting smart phone apps and evaluating their pedagogical value
• the principles of constructing and installing apps on smart phones
• choosing smart phones for educational purposes
• An evaluation of the value of minimally invasive educational environment
• Evaluation of the role apps have in supporting the development of skills including research and problem solving