Diana Wilson

Mobile Learning

Tech tool 1

With added features, mobile phones and IPads have now become learning tools, and are found more useful for the purpose of education to compare with its use a decade ago. With a range of mobile applications available now, learning environment can easily be created with mobiles. This further allows students to collaborate and learn from each other  both inside classroom as well as from around the world. They can watch expert videos, clear doubts, and communicate day to day learning with each other. Moreover, photographing and videoing is one of the many uses these devices are looked up to among students and teachers. With all its usefulness, this gadget also has issues and therefore its use is not common especially in schools. The best some of the schools would do is to have learners seek permission from the authorities concerned in their school so as to avoid any hassle later. Connectivity with the internet  through the WiFi is necessary for students to communicate their learning and if that gets disconnected, learning through interaction could as well be hampered. However, recording and photography of an event can still be carried out as this feature of mobile phones does not require internet connection. One of the ways to ensure cyber security and access to relevant websites by young learners is to install the profanity apps which will detect inappropriate language use and restrict the devices from venturing into any unsuitable content. Use of mobile phones in a classroom also demand extra vigilance on part of the teachers as access to social media sites could also be expected and may result in waste of time. Thus, mobile phones as collaborative tools are suitable for adults across all subjects.

Affordances- Google Docs

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Collaboration is one of the best features of Google docs. This feature enables learners planning group projects to interact, review, share and comment each other's shared work. This feature is available on google website and those wanting to avail the use of this feature need user's account on Google mail. Anyone can sign up to google for free, however its feature of collaboration using Google docs is restricted to a group of ten members.

After signing into gmail account, collaboration is just one click away. Learners with one click on share button on the top right of the page can add writing buddies and stay in touch more professionally corresponding through emails as well as can share files, presentations with selective members only, thus, maintaining privacy of their group work and projects. As most projects demand group work not exceeding five members, therefore Google docs could be quite feasible in this regard. All in all, Google docs enhance collaborative skills and promote learning and keep group members together from anywhere. Teachers and supervisors can also be added as members to keep track of the assigned tasks. It is important to note that not all learners prefer comments on their shared work; this may not allow access to other's work. Collaborative activity and cooperative learning can thus get restricted to only a few or no member in the group. Google docs require Internet connectivity therefore may be cost effective if used while travelling. Also, it is limited to adult learners only. 

Screencast-o-matic

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Screencast-o-matic as the name suggests, casts your webcam screen and record video. It allows you to record your video with a presentation in the background; this feature makes it more learner friendly. Besides, the presenter's voice can demonstrate the content  with and without your visibility on the screen. Thus making it more versatile and inclusive of all personality traits. It also has a feature for editing the video and provides multiple times recording if it hasn't been the best for the first time. Subject to its issues, screencast-o-matic cannot operate without the internet connection. In addition, it demands an account to share the recorded videos on platforms such as Youtube which might again have hazards with the privacy. The recording time as well is only up to 15 minutes therefore restricting a detailed presentation.