mLearning in Elementary Schools (Just Some Thoughts).

I wanted to take a moment to document an experience I had the other day while it was fresh in my mind.  Last week, in my IST611 class, we were discussing mLearning and it's application for students and schools.  Many liked the idea, some were apprehensive, and the total consensus was that there needs to be policies and training in place for both teachers and students.  I think mLearning is where the future of education is going.  So many people have devices, including students, and more and more people will acquire them as the technology develops and becomes cheaper.

Anyways, I was out at recess duty at my school, which is at the elementary level.  I monitor 2nd and 3rd graders out on the playground and I was approached by a young girl.  She proceeded to tell me that one of the 3rd grade students had a cellphone at school.  It is prohibited for students to bring cellphones to school (a rule which is slowly becoming archaic).  Any who, I went over and kindly told the young girl that she needed to put it in her pocket then put it away in her book bag when she got back to class.  End of story.

However, as I was walking away I was struck by the discussion and the readings I had done earlier in the week.  Why is it bad that this 3rd grader bring her device to school?  If her class had been using computers, could she have used her device instead thus alleviating the need for her to have a computer?  Could other students bring their devices and the teachers and librarians teacher them how to use them ethically in the class?  What would the tax on our school's board band service be like if students brought their own devices?  Could it be adjusted?  Are there are districts or schools in the country who have switched over to mLearning?  What are their policies regarding ethically usage?

Later on in the week, I saw the young girl again and asked if she had her device with her.  She said no, but when she gets older (maybe middle school) she would be able to use it.  I was again struck by her mention of using it later rather than now.  If we are to cultivate a culture of innovation and 21st century learners I believe we need to encourage students to utilize devices in the classroom at an earlier age.  However, we (educators) need to make sure that they are using it in a way that is conducive to learning and connected to the lessons at hand.  We need to find a way to have them experience the world in which they are going to be required to enter into upon graduation.  It's not enough to give them the opportunity when they are in middle school.  It needs to start earlier so that connections are made and ethical behaviors and responsibilities are put into place for students to utilize.  This way the students that are considered digital natives, can begin to fully navigate the information they are surrounded by to the fullest extent.  We need to get students to move from the "digital native" to the "digital explorer."