What is a Mobile Device?

Mobile Devices
“Learning2Go is NOT a PDA Project!”

What is a Mobile Device?
Traditionally it has been the realm of techie types to look at the newest gadget and then find an educational use for it. Indeed the Learning2Go project has investigated all manner of portable handheld devices ranging from small UMPC’s such as the OQO, traditional PDA’s, smartphones and Sony’s superb PSP.  Functionality of the device is all important, and what is available on the market is increasingly a factor, especially as most devices the education sector gets to use, have NOT been designed for learning environments.  Check out the Wikipedia view on Mobile Devices...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_digital_assistant

Our working definition of Mobile Learning seeks to define what would be classified as a mobile device. Learning2Go is NOT a PDA project, so any device which fits our needs in terms of Mobile Learning, would  become suitable for our use.
Rather than defining the device it maybe  more useful to define what it needs to be used for….

The following criteria are our MUSTS for any Mobile Device.

  • It Must Be Cool!
  • It has to be small enough to be carried around for immediate use
  • It has to be instant on
  • It has to have wireless connectivity
  • It has to interact with existing educational networks, infrastructure (Such as Whiteboard) and familiar software
  • It must be affordable
  • It has to have an in built camera
  • It has to have a high screen resolution
  • It has to have enough battery life to last a  school day
  • It needs to be robust enough for everyday use
  • Needs to be able to read standard external memory cards
  • Needs to have input and authoring tools
  • Needs to have the ability to browse the net and play Multimedia and flash content

 Phase 2 used the the Fujitsu Siemens Pocket Loox 720 which meet the above needs, but as shown below, when asked to design their “Perfect” Handheld the learners in Wolverhampton came up with designs which have been transformed into the Fujitsu Siemens EDA. This has been used for Phase 3. The next phase will use the HTC advantage device.

 

         

 
site credits: Handheld Learning