Course Management Systems tend to be comprehensive sets of functions and features that have demanded computing power (e.g. Java-based applications) and bandwidth. As such, they have not fit well with the increasing use of mobile technology. Often, however, the key functions may be accomplished in ways that lend themselves to mobile devices. Important affordances of CMSs:
• Communications: One of the most important functions of any CMS is to enable communications between students and instructors and among students. These communications can be either synchronous or asynchronous. Poodle is one example of a course management system for phones. This CMS is equipped with a polling system modeled after EduClick, and a WikiServer, along with a flash card server.
• Reflections: One element of any good learning process is the ability of students to reflect on what they are doing, accomplishing, and learning. Nowadays, this is often accomplished through blogs and is individualized. However, in mlearning (mobile learning), reflection is interactive and collaborative. It is based on the hands-on learning approach with benefits being maximum participation because all postings can be simultaneous and increased peer interaction and collaboration.
• Collaboration: Collaborative group projects have become an increasingly important part of teaching in higher education, despite occasional (and sometimes frequent) student complaints. Specific technologies that support collaboration include wikis, Google Docs, file sharing tools, Wridea, Writeboard, Twiddla, Spiceboard, Stixy, ReviewBasics, EditGrid, ooVoo, Palbee, and GroupTweet. These types of environments provide exceptional ways for students to engage in the rich learning environments of interaction through composition and consensus building.
• "Content" Delivery: Most courses include the need to provide students with various forms of "content," the information and media that, we hope, students use to acquire new information that they can use in accomplishing the goals of the course. While many mobile devices are somewhat limited in their ability to display large quantities of text for easy reading, they excel in presenting other media, such as audio and video.
• Interactions with material: Students often need to interact directly with the material they are learning, not just view it (possibly) passively. Active learning can be accomplished through the use of tutorial and quiz software, for example. One example of free software is MyStudiyo. (http://www.mystudiyo.com/)
This presentation explores applications that can be used to create practical mobile course management systems. An example of a CMS created with mobile devices in mind, will be showcased. In recent years, it has become common for mobile phones to contain web browsers and email programs. These mobile phones are capable of replacing standard computers for a variety of educational tasks. Mobile phones have the advantage of being usable at any time and place. Many mobile web browsers automatically reformat websites to fit on small screens. A large percentage of college students carry a mobile device. Mobile device users often take advantage of social networking websites, such as Facebook. Students make extensive use of their phones, viewing web pages and sending hundreds of short email messages each week, in the many hours they spend commuting and waiting between classes (Thornton & Houser 2004). Harnessing the power and flexibility of mobile devices for use in education will allow students to make use of their time.
One modern mobile strategy is Blackboard mobile. The Blackboard mobile course management system allows students to access their courses and course content through their mobile phone device. In addition, mobile course management systems can be created through clever use of open source applications, such as WordPress, coupled with plug-ins and applications. This technology will enable students to engage in the social environments they feel comfortable in while fostering learning communities.
The audience will be able to:
• Explain the advantages of using mobile course management systems
• Find software and application programs that can be utilized for mobile course management systems
