A different framework

About this different framework, used by Frohberg, Goeth and Schwabe (Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 2009), to categorise Mobile Learning projects. First they claim to have searched every relevant project to date, where I will only review a limited number of projects (due to limited time for the module). Then they start from the Task Model for Mobile Learners (Taylor, 2006 and Sharples 2007), designed to structure and analyse Mobile Learning. What the model does (more so than the activity theory it was rooted in), is taking into consideration the complex interdepencies and dialectic of learning and technology. Which is exactly what I aim to do when using either didactic & setting or didactic & device together with dependent/independent in my framework (which looks quite simplified compared to the framework Frohberg et al. use).

Can't seem to be able to copy the model here but it comprises of a triangle with 'Tool' at the top corner and 'Control' & 'Communication' at the base corners. There are lines from each corner to the middle of the opposite triangle side and on these 3 new points are placed 'Subject' (between Tool & Control), 'Context' (between Control & Communication) and 'Object' (between Communication & Tool). That way, all 6 factors are connected. All items are viewed from a technological as well as a semiotic angle. Hope you get an idea from this description (draw it!).

Frohberg et al. then move on to make tables for all 6 factors, arranging the reviewed projects on Mobile Learning on a scale from 1 to 5. For example, for the factor 'Control'(regarded as responsibility for learning process and goal), the scale ranges from 'Full teacher control' to 'Full learner control', while for the factor 'Tool', the scale ranges from 'Content delivery' tot 'Content construction'.

The number of projects is mentioned for each category of the scale accordingly. It comes as no surprise that most projects are to be found in the lower categories but Frohberg doesn't leave it at that. He argues why and how a lot could be gained by having more projects in the higher categories (apart from the factor 'Control' which would have its optimal level in between both extremes), and goes on to give examples of projects for each category.

I hope I will be able to use some of this in my own framework. Some more reading to do...