<span>This article reports on an m-learning research agenda instituted at our university in order to explore how mobile technology can enhance active, experiential learning. Details of the implementation and results of four areas of m-learning are presented: mobile supported fieldwork, fostering interactivity in large lectures with mobile technology, using mobile devices to learn about mobile technology and, finally, podcasting. These directions are informed by a concern for achieving m-learning practices consistent with sound educational theory and the needs of the contemporary, technologically aware student body. All four implementations have been successfully embedded in mainstream subjects on a continuing basis. Therefore they represent a departure from the project based approach of much m-learning reported in the literature. This outcome was achieved through a focus on the economic sustainability and feasibility of each case. An evaluation focusing on how well each case assisted students' learning found that, with the exception of lecture podcasting, all supported high quality experiential learning.</span>
The ability to assess the work of others is a core attribute for most professionals. To develop this graduate attribute in our students requires the learning of self and peer evaluation, feedback, and review skills. This paper discusses the changing design of peer assessment and the impact of a new groupwork support tool within a capstone undergraduate subject with large student numbers -Systems Development Project -in the Faculty of Information Technology at UTS. Since 1998 by implementing different support strategies for peer assessment of individual contributions the distribution of the students marks has markedly widened, and now more reflect the reality of differing team member contributions. This substantial change has occurred with the use of an online tool which supports the development of student evaluation, feedback and review skills when peer assessing individual contributions to large group projects. In use since 2004 the groupwork support tool is called Team Contribution Tracking (TeCTra).
The rapid evolution and ubiquitous use of mobile devices is an historical opportunity to improve experiential interactivity in education practices to support "deep" learning. A major barrier to the widespread adoption of mLearning in higher education is that of cost. Usage charges and the cost of mobile hardware are key issues. Opportunities to overcome this barrier include the high rate of ownership of mobile phones by university students and technological solutions such as packet transmission technologies. The paper introduces mInteract, a system which uses packet technology (mobile WAP/WML) to build no-to-low cost interactivity into learning spaces. The online tool supports active experiential learning transactions for both student and teacher. In 2008 mInteract was trialled in a subject with large numbers. Focus group feedback is presented that indicates high levels of engagement with both users and non-users of the tool.
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