Mobility in context

Diana Laurillard has some interesting thoughts on pedagogical implications of mobile technologies. She lists the following intrinsic characteristics:

* Enable knowledge building by learners in different contexts
* Enable learners to construct understandings
* Mobile technology often changes the pattern of learning/work activity
* The context of mobile learning is about more than time and space

The first two characteristics of mobile learning are quite obvious and undisputed. The third and fourth are different and these are exactly the characteristics that relate to my study and the task-artefact cycle. The tool changes the pattern of learning, and ideally, the pattern of learning changes the tool in turn. Actually, the task-artefact cycle (negotiating in context) is the next step from the 'substitution-transition-transfer' threestep.

To see the context of mobile learning as merely a step forward in being able to learn anywhere, anyplace, is not going beyond that threestep (that suited 'regular' e-learning). Mobile learning is also about negotiating the tool used and the pattern of learning, both process and goal. This can go on and on because the possibilities of the tool will keep changing endlessly, adapting to the need of the learning intended. In return, the learning goal will keep changing because more has become possible through the tool used. Mobility in time, space and learning context.

Will discuss the notion of 'affordances' in connection to mobile learning next.

Ben dancing

What a strange night yesterday, Nordic Night in the Cultuurcentrum in Hasselt, Belgium. Have you ever attended a concert where the larger part of the audience didn't know the performers? It seemed that way yesterday.

Not the entire truth. I guess a big part of the audience came to see Jóhann Jóhannsson, who is quite well known outside of Iceland. I was there for Valgeir Sigurðsson & Ben Frost who did just what I expected them to do: make a lot of droning noise and weave in unexpected twisting & turning melodies and rhythms. Music to be felt in your stomach, which was a bit hard to stomach for most people present I guess... Four people in the first row left during their set. Applause was scarce and not very spontaneous. I don't know how these barefooted gentle men keep their concentration up. Because that's what they do, concentrate on the music, communicating through little nods and eye movements that the people right behind me (third row, "do you know any of the names on the bill?") will not even have noticed. I loved watching them.

And Jóhannsson, the top of the bill? It's not meant for me, too ambient, too slick. Not a single word to the audience, no introduction of the musicians, no communication. No respect for the obediently clapping masses. I know I would have preferred to watch Ben 'dancing' on tiptoes for another hour.

Find more pictures here! More info with links to audio and video here.

Edit: just found this on the wonderful blog 'Life's a Pitch':

I am pretty surprised how unaware audience members are of their own responsibility in preparing themselves to possibly have a special experience. (Or their own culpability in undermining it.) The process of opening one's self up to the experience...in my mind it is a kind of "unclenching"...is hard, and getting harder it seems. Helping audience members understand that they need to meet an artist half way is a start.

Yes, couldn't agree more. Source