mLearn 2005  4th World conference on mLearning 
Conference theme:   Mobile technology: The future of learning in your hands

mLearn2005

Programme  [Updated 13 October 2005]

• Detailed conference programme: [MSWord document] [PDF Document]
   

• Conference programme - Outline:  [MSWord document] [PDF Document]
   

• List of presenters (Alphabetic):  [MSExcel document] [PDF Document]      

Workshop 1 (Half day - morning) Rate:R695

Title:  Using electronic checklists for performance assessment, feedback and course evaluation.

Abstract:  Electronic assessment, using PDAs, of students’ performance in OSCEs (Objective Structured Clinical Examinations) has been established at the skills laboratories of the medical schools of Vienna and Pretoria. Electronic checklists are created using HaPerT-Software* (developed at the University of Vienna) and are, together with the candidates’ and observers’ names, synchronized to PDAs. The main advantage of this system is the availability of automated and immediate reports after having synchronized data back to a PC:

• Students’ results (excel files): aggregate and per station (procedure)

• individual student feedback printouts (pdf files) showing the item marks, written comments, scores and grades for each station

• statistical item analysis

• group feedback filtered for trainers, observers or stations.

Outcomes:  The workshop will provide a hands-on experience in electronic assessment to enable participants to do the following :

• Construct a checklist suitable for a PDA

• Use a PDA to assess a video taped performance

• Discuss the feedback printouts

• Discuss the available statistical analyses

• Identify specific requirements currently not met by the current HaPerT system

Presenters:  Ina Treadwell from South Africa and Michael Schmidt from Austria

What should workshop participants bring along:  None

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Workshop 2 (Half day - afternoon) Rate: R695

Title:  Development of a Competency Profile Chart for mobile learners.

Abstract:  What does it take for someone to be a successful mobile learner? Learners need specific competencies to use mobile technology and successful strategies for mobile learning. This workshop will develop a competency profile for mobile learners. The workshop will be very interactive where participants will brainstorm competencies that are required by a mobile learner. As the participants identify the competencies, they will be validated at the workshop and consensus reached by the participants. The final competency profile will be displayed on a wall for final review and validation by all participants. The facilitator will use the final profile to develop a competency profile chart and distribute to the workshop participants at a later date. The complete competency profile for mobile learners can be used to orient learners for mobile delivery and to plan for mobile delivery. The competency profile chart can also be used as a basis to develop a training program for novice mobile learners.

Outcomes: This workshop will be of interest to administrators, instructional designers, instructors, trainers, teachers, and learners who are involved in mobile learning or who are planning to become involved in mobile learning. At the end of the workshop, participants will take away a list of competencies for a successful mobile learner to use when implementing mobile learning in their organizations.

Presenter:  Mohamed Ally from Canada

What should workshop participants bring along:  None

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Workshop 3 (Full day) Rate: R850

(Fully booked [10 October 2005]. To place your name on the waiting list send an email to info@mlearn.org.za)

Title:  Empowerment through m-Technology: What do I do with this PDA or cell phone?

Abstract:  This workshop is a practical application of mobile / handheld devices such as PDAs, cell phones, digital cameras, etc. in teaching and learning. The focus is to present and explore the opportunities these devices offer that goes beyond the conventional uses such as a personal organizer (PDA), tool for SMS and calls (cell phone) or taking pictures (digital camera). After the workshops participants will know how to use mobile / handheld devices in conjunction with each other and how to apply them in an integrated teaching and learning environment.

Outcomes:  The outcomes of this workshop are the following:

• To know more than the conventional functionalities of mobile / handheld devices

• To know how to operate and use mobile / handheld devices in conjunction with each other

• To know how to integrate mobile / handheld devices in different scenarios in teaching and learning

• To understand the role of mobile / handheld devices in outcomes-based education, or the business

• To discuss possible projects in the application of mobile / handheld devices in different disciplines in education and industry.

Presenters:   Annette de Jager and Nellie de Crom from South Africa

What should workshop participants bring along:

• Cell phones with a camera and infrared / Bluetooth

• Digital cameras with video clips and the necessary connections to download the data to a computer

• Laptops with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Infrared

• If they do bring PDAs, the following software must be available on the PDA: Windows operating system, Internet Explorer, MS Word, MS Excel, Clear View Presentation, Clear View PDF, Pictures, Media Player, Sound recording

• Ideas for sharing how we can enhance and support teaching and learning with mobile / handheld devices

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Workshop 4 (Full day) Rate: R850

Title:  Making m-learning work: practical tools and techniques for teachers and instructional designers.

Abstract:   "The question is no longer whether m-learning works, but rather how best to fit it into your blend!”

In the short space of five years, mobile learning has moved from being a theory, explored by academic and technology enthusiasts, into a real and valuable contribution to learning. The time is ripe to make your own. In the UK alone, thousands of mobile devices have been bought as learning tools by schools, colleges, companies and individuals. CTAD have worked with learning providers to create mobile learning resources for many of these devices. Over 1000 learners have used our resources, and have contributed to the ongoing evolution of our tools and approaches to m-learning.

Outcomes : Participants in this dynamic workshop will:

• Try out existing learning materials for a range of mobile technologies

• Compare the different types of learning possible with different devices and map mobile learning to your own organisation and learning agenda

• Discover some of the key lessons all mobile content creators need to know

• Design and build your own mobile learning materials!

Presenter:  Geoff Stead from the UK

What should workshop participants bring along:  Bring learning needs and ideas for mobile content. We will be looking at a range of technologies including: text messaging (SMS), picture messaging (MMS), phone games (Java) & handheld devices (PocketPC). So if you have one of these devices, bring it along.

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Workshop 5 (Half day - afternoon) Rate: R695

Title:  Bringing rich media experiences to the palm of the student’s hand.

Abstract:  This workshop will explore, discuss and demonstrate via several pilot projects currently ongoing in the UK in which the author is involved that prove the importance and educational value of bring rich media experiences to the palm of the students hand. Graham will demonstrate in “real-time” the creation of multimedia applications for and using handhelds using a number of existing and “soon to be released” application programs in this stimulating session. Graham will also demonstrate GoKnows new PocketVideo that allows students to edit and compose video in the palm of their hand.

Outcomes:  This workshop will provide participants with:

• An understanding of some of the available options for creating rich media applications for handheld devices.

• An understanding of the possible benefits and applications of handheld-based rich media for learning.

Presenter:  Graham Brown-Martin from the UK

What should workshop participants bring along:  Something to take notes with.

Workshop 6 (Half day - morning) Rate: R695

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Title:  Classroom uses of Handheld Computers.

Abstract:  Handheld computers can have an important impact on teaching and learning in the elementary and secondary classroom. While professional development and extended classroom experiences are needed in order to use handhelds effectively, this workshop will give attendees a taste of what children can do with handhelds in the classroom.

Outcomes:  Attendees will be able to use handhelds provided to use the handheld-based software to create a compound document – a document that is made of a text document, a graphics document, web-research documents, etc. Each attendee will use education-oriented applications produced by GoKnow, Inc. ( www.goknow.com). After this hands-on exploration, we will hold a Question and Answer session with attendees.

Presenters:  Elliot Soloway and Cathie Norris from the USA

What should workshop participants bring along:  Attendees need bring no equipment to the session; handhelds will be provided.

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