Reading and Writing
Many devices have the capability of some form of note taking and a great number of devices can be used to read previously created documents such as handouts, e-books or a calculation on a spreadsheet. A device can also be a holder of dictionaries, thesaurus, encyclopedias or daily newspapers.
So why read and write on mobile devices?
For many reasons - such as:
- Taking notes during a presentation or lecture.
- Practice handwriting or text entry using a keyboard.
- Capture a reflective note during or after a session.
- Follow a set of instructions, or create a list, to remember what to do during a practical task.
- Use dictionaries to translate text or help spell certain words during a lesson.
- Compare notes with other learners. These could be shared using Bluetooth.
- Read an e-book for study or for pleasure.
Capturing notes
As a personal device is likely to be readily available in a learner's pocket private notetaking is available at any time during a class. Some devices have touch screens that allow users to write on the screen using a stylus (or a thin finger). Handwriting recognition functionality allows you to convert handwritten notes into typed text format for improved legibility. Of course, many devices incorporate a keyboard - whether on-screen or as an integral part of the device.
Text entry improves with practice however most devices lend themselves to being used for short, sharp, bites of reflection or just-in-time jottings. Why not encourage your learners to jot down notes during a class? This could improve their reflective skills or develop better note-taking ability. Learners who capture their own exam revision notes for example may well do better in the exams.
Brockenhurst College use an M-Log system for learners to write down reflective notes on their PDA/phone. The entry is sent direct to the M-Log where tutors and assessors can respond and give feedback. It has now become an integral part of the Performing Arts programmes of study and learners have seen that the device has encouraged them to write more than if given a piece of paper and pen.
"The stages of development of reflection are described as noticing, making sense, making meaning, working with meaning and transforming learning. It is suggested that experiential learning is not effective until it is interrogated and challenged through reflection. Reflection provides learners with intellectual space, ownership, encourages meta cognition and positive learning behaviour."
A Handbook of Reflective and Experiential Learning: Theory and Practice. Jennifer A. Moon 2004
Reflective learners quite often need time after a learning experience in order to think deeply about the event. A free micro-blogging service such as Twitter can encourage short, yet frequent bites of text reflection that can be shared with peers and/or the tutor. Each entry can be sent to the group's mobile phones or collected on the Twitter website.
No more transcription of handwritten notes for some Chichester College students. As part of MoLeNET a group of Hairdressing students has been using Asus EEEpcs to capture their notes whilst in College and in the workplace. The tutor and assessor has seen an increase in quality of assignment work submitted as the notes can be spellchecked immediately.
If you are a Palm user then Giraffe software can help you improve your handwriting capability on the device.
Why not read the article 'Case Study: Use of Handheld Computers by University Communications Students' and see how a competition using Giraffe inspired them to engage with and use mobile devices.
The majority of Blackberry devices don't have touch screen facility but users can still use handwriting capture. The Paper IQ Digital Pen, used with special digital paper, can turn any handwritten notes and drawings into electronic format to be transferred and stored on the Blackberry device.
However, the Blackberry Thunder (9000 series) will be the first version with full touch screen functionality when it arrives in the UK shops in 2008 but it will lack a physical keyboard which might frustrate users who want to enter typed text direct into the device.
Penreader is multilingual Windows Mobile Pocket PC handwriting recognition software which enables handwriting data input in many languages.
Language learners could produce a set of handwritten words, in the language they are studying. A learning group would gain if a collected set of written words were shared. Why not look at Bluetooth activities to see how to send files between devices?
An interesting article 'Motion-Based Handwriting Recognition for Mobile Interaction' talks about an unusual method to use a camera-enabled mobile device for capturing writing just by moving the device.
For serious e-books readers the Kindle is now available. The 6 inch screen and storage capacity of 160 e-books it's pitted against the Sony Reader. The Absolute Gadget article talks of the battle between the developers and how Waterstones is getting in on the act.
Do you have an A4 page that you want to convert to digital text? Turn your cameraphone, with Shozu software, into a scanner. Take a photo and upload to Scanr to convert into text using optical character recognition.
Reading Text
If you find yourself on a train without your favourite or essential reading matter then the next best thing is to ensure there are e-books on the device. Reference books, classics or the latest bestseller - many can be found in electronic format for most mobile devices.
Why not produce your class handouts in an e-format for Windows Mobile devices. Use Microsoft Reader software to produce the 'books' and readers can then increase the font size to suit their needs, add highlights to specific text or add notes to certain sections. Look at the How To section for instructions for producing e-books for Windows Mobile devices, Sony PSPs and Ipods that have Notes facility.
If you're an ITouch or IPhone user then why not use Filemaker software to add e-books easily to the device. Browse the books and select your device from the list at the Feedbooks website.
Andrew Marr's article critically looks at e-books and readers as he spends one month without his adored paperbooks.