Outline - Topic 5 - How is mobile learning related to cognitive tools?
Mobile learning depends on the mobility of technology, and technology can be used as cognitive tools. Therefore, mobile learning has the potential to enhance students' cognition.
Cognitive tools are generalizable computer tools that are intended to engage and facilitate cognitive processing (Kommers, Jonassen, & Mayes, 1992). Cognitive tools are also mindtools that have been adapted or developed to enable learners to represent what they know (Jonassen, 2005). Mobile devices such as handheld computers can function as intellectual partners that share the cognitive burden of carrying out tasks, such as calculating, storing, and retrieving information (Chen, Tan, Looi, Zhang, & Seow, 2008). Mobile devices can be used as cognitive tools also because of their mobility and the affordances of apps. The mobility of devices allows students to easily move around by holding the devices. Meanwhile, they can connect to online resources or their group members for online sharing and discussion. Also, mobile devices such as mobile phones become more powerful and can run a variety of apps. Many of the apps can be functioned as cognitive tools when students are engaged in critical thinking and problem solving. An example of using handheld computers as cognitive tools is reported in Chen, et al (2008), where handheld computers are used to facilitate inquiry-based learning among primary school students in a field trip, on some environmental issues in Singapore, namely 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle). If you have any experience of using mobile devices to support student learning, in particular using mobile devices as cognitive tools, you are welcome to share it as a comment.
2 Comments
Pamela Low
3/27/2018 05:56:45 pm
I agree to a certain extent that mobile learning has greatly enhanced and will continue to do even better educational benefits for the students in the future. However, albeit it being able to facilitate and enhance the cognitive development of students, the social consequences that mobile learning brings about should not be neglected.
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Duan Jingjing
3/19/2019 11:11:25 pm
Mobile is getting more and more advanced, and it works like a portable mini computer. Handphones have the affordances for teaching, such as apps like WhatsApp or WeChat functioning as forum, sudoku game or chess game can play with the player and guide the player, use of excels to record and organise information, sound and video recording for reflection, and so on, so that could become knowledge construction tool, record and store large quantity of info, and organise them in the way for people to think deeper, and for the phone is portable so it could connect with many people anytime anywhere.
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