Why use mobile devices for learning?

Most mobile devices are useful in education as administration, organisation and teaching aids for practitioners, and also as learning support tools for learners. Here are some of the main benefits:

• Learners can interact with each other and with the practitioner instead of hiding behind large monitors.
• It's much easier to accommodate several mobile devices in a classroom than several desktop computers.
• PDAs or tablets holding notes and e-books are lighter and less bulky than bags full of files, paper and textbooks, or even laptops.
• Handwriting with the stylus pen is more intuitive than using keyboard and mouse.
• It's possible to share assignments and work collaboratively; learners and practitioners can e-mail, cut, copy and paste text, pass the device around a group, or 'beam'? the work to each other using the infrared function of a PDA or a wireless network such as Bluetooth.
• Mobile devices can be used anywhere, anytime, including at home, on the train, in hotels - this is invaluable for work-based training.
• These devices engage learners - young people who may have lost interest in education - like mobile phones, gadgets and games devices such as Nintendo DS or Playstation Portable.
• This technology may contribute to combating the digital divide, as this equipment (for example PDAs) is generally cheaper than desktop computers.