Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Mobile Learning and Short Term Memory

Yesterday I read an interesting article about the growth/impediments to growth of mobile learning in American schools. The article prompted me to think about the role of mobile learning for K-12 students in U.S. schools. I can't help but wonder if there would be a marketplace for selling review units for just about every subject area for mobile devices.

Just imagine: You are sitting at dinner and your 9th grader son tells you that he has a test the next day in multiplication of polynomials. He thinks he gets it but might also be a little confused. What parent would not spend $2.00 to purchase a learning widget that will help his son review for the test the next day? Most parents would allow their children, who may not have their own smart phone, to use their smart phone to review for the test. Since the student would be using a cool device to learn math the studying becomes a little more bearable. Of course, it's even better if the content is presented in a game format.

Multiplication of polynomials is one test in one course of algebra. Consider how many similar mobile apps publishers could sell designed to help students prepare for tests the next day in school. This development would be relatively easy and inexpensive because publishers already have the content. It's in their textbooks and online resources. Now it just has to be sourced for mobile.

What do you think?

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