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Along the lines of the discussions we've been having on the isites, mobile learning has major potential in the developing world. "Mobile phones are increasingly ubiquitous in poor countries, which now account for FOUR IN EVERY FIVE connections worldwide". This means that almost everyone owns or has access to a mobile phone. How can we leverage this reality? Well, we can't impose anything that requires a smart phone, since most of these mobile phones cannot access 3G or wifi networks. Perhaps we can start to send podcasts as voice notes? Audio wikis of information sent via sms? In-phone calculators for math homework completion? I think all we need is an educational system that supports this type of learning, and m-learning can possible change the face of education in the developing world. 

Cell phones are banned in NYC public schools, but it is the norm for students who attend schools without metal detectors to bring their phones anyway. If caught teachers are confiscating phones for up to a week, or longer, at their discretion. At schools with metal detectors small businesses have popped up around schools, storing students' phones for the school day for a small fee, similar to a coat check system. Instead of harnessing the power of mobile phones that almost every student already has, they are punishing them and/or causing them to pay money to keep them stored for the school day so that they can have them before and after school. I think this is a missed opportunity for the NYC school system not only because they are missing out on mobile learning opportunities with technology the district doesn't have to buy, but they could also be teaching the students responsible and appropriate use of mobile phones in public spaces.

I wonder how great this new phone will really utilize less of my time...

Pulling together a social media experience on your mobile phone. This might be work that could lead to educational platforms on the mobile device in the US.

Although we read and hear a lot about smartphones and tablet PC lately, the majority of the cell phone users still have simpler phones (especially in emerging countries). Even those have SMS function. So..learning activities with these SMS still an interesting topic to me.

BiNu makes feature phones a little smarter.

I'm so excited to see biNu on here, Jenny! I wrote a case study about their technology for a class last year and was blown away how their model of cloud computing could essentially turn "dumb" feature phones into smart phones - and for a fraction of the cost. They've changed their marketing approach and business model substantially since I wrote the case study last fall, but I still see a lot of potential for this type of tech to reach hitherto-unconnected people in the developing world who were still using phones and 2G networks. So interesting, thanks for posting!

Dell launches smart phone in China and Brzil. Phone uses open-source android system as competitor to iphone

I think this is what Uche is talking about with respect to enabling teachers with a school specific voice mail system that is also mobile. In my department office there is 1 phone for 10 teachers. The department chair is the only one who checks messages (once a day each morning) and it's difficult to use the phone because, even though we often deal in confidential information, we don't have any privacy for conversation. I'm signing up!

A simple list of ways to use phones in the classroom

This program, Mscape by HP, allows users of Windows Mobile phones to create their own place-dependent AR experiences (games, guided tours, etc.) utilizing the internal GPS of the phone. Users can share and post their "Mediascapes" online and download Mediascapes created by others.

Wondering if this idea of "Pulling people into education, rather than pushing them into it" can work for the world's "worst-off Children"? Most interesting ideas found in the TED talk here: http://www.good.is/post/education-innovation-in-the-worst-situations/ Q: Are there smart-phone/cell-phone-based MUVE games?

Smart phones for the "other half"

mobile phones for language learning

a literacy program delivered through mobile phones helped close literacy gap in pakistan

Mobile Phones are being used to pull people out of poverty through informal learning and direct work applications

Interesting report contradicting some previous findings about the link between technology and social isolation.

Allowing open-phone tests may prevent cheating.

The New York TImes continues their efforts to get an explanation from the Department of Education of NY on their reasons behind the cell phone ban. It seems that the district is not budging on their policy and is so far unwilling to listen to educators vouching for phones as useful learning tools. 

Afghanistan has launched a new literacy program that enables Afghan women deprived of a basic education during decades of war to learn to read and write using a mobile phone.

This is really deep, Janet. I sense that sometimes there's a double standard between our expectations of what children's education should be versus adult education. There's always push-back when we consider using mobile devices as a primary teaching tool for kids. But I sense there's less push-back when we offer it in adult education. Is this because we think adults can learn better on their own? Or perhaps teachers are important in children's socialization process? Or that education is a basic right for all children, but not necessarily for adults? At the core, these women were once children deprived of an education during their most formative years.

I really appreciate your comments on this topic, Pearl. And, like you, I wonder at the effectiveness of a mobile literacy program. But I also find it interesting that there is even an attempt to reach women who were deprived of an education earlier in their lives.

Meg Ormiston shares easy to use strategies to use cell phones in the classrooms.