Two Mobile Learning Technologies That Have The Potential to Enhance Adult Education

The U.S Dept. of Education's National Technology plan (NET) published November 2010 notes that "technology is at the core of our daily lives and work, and calls for "leveraging" it to provide engaging and powerful learning experiences and content" ( Allen, 2011). The popularity of mobile devices being utilized as learning tools in adult education, only means educators are conforming to meeting 21st century learners at the crossroad of learning engagement and making sense of their learning.
Two mobile technologies that can be utilized in adult education for great learning outcomes are the smartphone and the ipad.

Smartphones including "Droids, iphones, have GPS, texting, voice, and multimedia capabilities. These small computers motivate students, provide access to a wealth of knowledge, tools and experts on the web" ( Allen, 2011). Just yesterday evening I heard the following on TV: "Smartphones are like tutors who bring learning to life" ( ABC Channel 7, New York). I looked up and was lost, only to snap back to reality and realize that this was a commercial for Smartphones by SPRINT. Smartphones may be used in adult education to create teaching episodes such as creating videos, record, take pictures of learning situations for later review, learning games and video conferencing. Communication students may utilize the Smartphone to record street interviews and other events. For further information on the use of Smartphones in education the following website may help: http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/melbourne08/procs//herrington-a.pdf.
For the latest smartphone gadgets any of the current phone companies have great selections on their web sites from which to choose.

Another mobile device is the i-pad. It's now changing everything in the classroom. Apps may be purchased that allow students to engage interactively. These educational apps teach everything from science to sign language. Utilizing FaceTime is also possible on the ipad. Teachers and students are also able to put together professional looking documents and spreadsheets. presentations may also be created with stunning animation and effects. The following website may be utilized for more information:
http://www.apple.com/au/education/ipad/.

References

Allen, R. (2011). Can mobile devices transform education? Retrieved July 23, 2013 from
<http://www.ascd.org/publications/newsletters/education-update>

Apple in Education (n.d.): The device that changed everything is now changing the classroom. Retrieved July 26, 2013 from http://www.apple.com/au/education/ipad.

Herrington, A. ( 2008). Adult educator's use of smartphones to create digital teaching resources. Retrieved July 25, 2013 from http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/melbourne08/procs/herrington-a.pdf.