Mobile learning: Crossing boundaries in convergent environments

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21 March 2011 - 22 March 2011
Bremen, Germany

International conference with focus on mobile and networked learning in formal and informal contexts

Cloudscape created by:

Judith Seipold
8 November 2010

The ‘Mobile learning: Crossing boundaries in convergent environments’ Conference, taking place in Bremen (Germany) from Monday to Tuesday, March 21st to 22nd, 2011, builds on a series of mobile learning research symposia hosted by the  WLE Centre for Excellence at the Institute of Education, University of London between 2007 and 2009. It will focus on the challenges of developing new pedagogic approaches and on the potential of mobile devices for learning in formal and informal contexts. As mobile learning is not only about learning with mobile technologies, but also considered to be "new" learning, the conference will look at challenges for research and practice in understanding the changing social and technological structures allowing the use of technology for learning that are present in our personal lives, in school and in work places. Thus mobile learning crosses the boundary of institutional learning and looks at practical fields like research and medicine, too. Also, the conference will look at the latest developments in hardware and software which can support personalised learning.

By focusing on theory and practice, development and use, teaching and learning, formal and informal contexts, the ‘Mobile learning: Crossing boundaries in convergent environments’ Conference intends to offer spaces for researchers, practitioners, developers, the industry and policy makers to exchange ideas, experiences and research around issues and approaches to mobile learning, including sociological and educational issues and their effectiveness and desirability as learning spaces as well as the design of environments.

Whilst the conference includes a traditional research paper strand, we also encourage proposals for sessions in different formats including workshops, posters, cafe and debate sessions, videos, slideshows, podcasts, cartoons and hands on sessions. There will be a German language strand, so contributions in German are also welcome!
We will also provide opportunities for 'unconference' events, including the provision of spaces for informal meetings and discussions.

The number of participants is limited to 150. However, video contributions for loop-presentations during the conference from people who are not able to attend in person are welcome.

The ‘Mobile learning: Crossing boundaries in convergent environments’ Conference is preceded by the  EduCamp, a specialised BarCamp for people interested in media and learning, which will take place in Bremen from March 19 to 20, 2011.

In collaboration with  MirandaNet, the conference is running a  MirandaMod, developed as part of a WLE Centre-funded project, which addresses teachers and practitioners who are interested in teaching and learning with new technologies, and would either like to share their experiences or learn from others. People can attend the MirandaMod in person at the conference or online via a FlashMeeting. Detailed information about technical requirements and collaboration tools will be made available on the conference website.

Important dates

  • October 31, 2010:  conference system opens for the submission of proposals
  • December n.n., 2010:  registration opens
  • january 7, 2011: deadline for the submission of proposals *NEW*
  • January 30, 2011:  notification about acceptance *NEW*
  • February 13, 2011: deadline for final submission of camera ready abstracts for publication in the book of abstracts
  • March 6, 2011:  registration closes
  • March 21-22, 2011: conference

 

Call for Contributions

Submission of abstracts for research papers, workshops and posters are invited. The submission for conference activities in alternative formats such as cafe or debate sessions, videos, slideshows, podcasts, cartoons, hands on sessions  – or any other kind of format you can think of – is also welcome.

The abstracts for research papers should contain 650 words, including keywords. Abstract for alternative formats differ. Full details may be found in the download guidelines. Please indicate the thematic strand and the type of activity as well as the language the contribution covers.

Proposals can be submitted electronically through the conference tool from October 31st, 2010 to December 5th, 2010, accessible via the conference website. We are especially looking for originality and relevance of ideas and for creativity in proposals, in form and content.

All proposals will be subject to a peer review process.

The conference proposes - but does by no means limit contributions to - the following topics:

Strand 1: Theoretical inputs on mobile learning
Issues to be explored may include:

  1. What theoretical and methodological approaches are appropriate for research mobile learning?
  2. What pedagogic approaches to the use of mobile devices for learning are feasible?
  3. How does ubiquitous access to the internet change the dynamics of learning both in and outside the classroom and work place?
  4. Cultural practices of learning, meaning-making and appropriation: Media usage and the social impact of using networked technologies in everyday life context.
  5. How does mobile learning impact on research and innovation?
  6. Ethical issues around learning with mobile networked technologies.
  7. How can informal learning and learning in informal contexts contribute to learning in formal contexts?
  8. How does sign-making and communication with mobile devices impact on language and literacy?

 

Strand 2: Practical issues to support mobile learning
Issues to be explored may include:

  1. What is the rationale for implementing mobile learning in educational settings and at work?
  2. What end-user support is important for mobile learning? How can it best be provided?
  3. Challenges of the implementation and management of mobile learning: educational institutions, organisational learning, the organisation of learning
  4. Using mobile devices for work based learning
  5. What are the issues around using personally owned devices for mobile learning in institutional contexts?
  6. Scalability problems: difficulties and solutions from developing a pilot project into mass application
  7. Assessment with mobile technologies, assessment of and with mobile learning

 

Strand 3: Concrete pointers and examples on mobile learning
Issues to be explored may include:

  1. Use of mobile networked technologies in medical settings
  2. Game-based learning using mobile technologies
  3. Augmented reality and augmented learning
  1. Mobile devices and e-science
  2. Mobile learning and arts
  3. Using mobile devices, e-Portfolios and Personal Learning Environments
  4. Visualisation, Gesture-based interaction, Wearables, Open and linked data, Location-awareness and context-sensitivity
  5. Impact of new technologies and its semiotics on the way we use language/ signs for meaning-making

 

Strand 4: Utopian corner: Glimpse of our future learning and work
We welcome the exploration of ideas and visions of how our future learning as well as work becomes influenced by mobile technologies and convergent environments. We encourage the discussion of ideas of tomorrow to make meaning of the devices of today. In this strand we provide the space and time for ideas to be explored not in a practical sense but in terms of an utopian situation. Any type of suitable format (video, simulation, images, art, poster) is possible.

  1. Current and emerging trends
  2. Ideas for the future, ideas for a learning utopia

 

Call and guidelines for the submission of contributions
download Download call for contributions and guidelines

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