Smartphones Put Learning in the Palm of Your Hand

A three-person team at RRU is looking at the feasibility of using smartphones to bring the university’s distance education to people in places where Internet access may be limited or non-existent.
The study, which will assist with the establishment of a mobile learning strategy for RRU, was conceived by instructional designer Ining Chao from the university’s Centre for Teaching and Educational Technologies and library and learning technologies analyst Robert Aucoin from IT-services.

With Professor Ken Christie, head of the Human Security and Peace-building program at RRU, the three will conduct a review of the literature and current practices related to mobile learning, focusing on other post-secondary institutions and developing nations.

Then, they'll run a trial.

“Developing nations, in particular, provide an interesting laboratory for mobile learning because, despite weak technological infrastructure, many have robust cell phone connectivity,” says Christie.
That’s why, in April 2010, Christie will lead a field test with 30 of his students who are scheduled to travel to Uganda to complete their coursework in RRU’s MA in human security and peace-building program.

Read this and other stories in RRU’s alumni magazine – InRoads.