As the mobile learning market continues to grow, one expert recognizes the need for teachers to do some learning of their own.

Instructional technology coordinator, Mark Riley, recognizes that the influx of technology via smartphones, tablets, apps and the like create a need for teachers to educate themselves on how to implement mobile learning, according to an article on Smartblogs.com.

Riley has some suggestions based on his experiences for teachers on mobile learning. First, he recommends that teachers "[f]ind out what other educators are using" and do some independent research. He advises that teachers use the apps before integrating them into lessons to get total familiarity.

He also tells educators to "start with what you know." To start integrating mobile learning, Riley suggests starting with apps that teachers already have some experience with.

"He referenced the professor of an environmental health and safety course that used Instagram for an assignment. The professor had students take photos of safety objects they saw every day, such as elevators and ramps, and posted them to Instagram," according to the article. The assignment yielded great observations and created a useful classroom conversation.

"Moving to mobile is more than redesigning a course for a smaller screen, said Riley. It’s about going back to the drawing board and rethinking approaches and expected outcomes," the article said.

A new market research report has estimated that the mobile learning market will be worth $37.6 billion by 2020, up from the $7.98 billion its worth now. In other words, the mobile learning market is growing at a rapid pace as it finds its place in the classroom.

Read the full article here and comment below.

Article by Nicole Gorman, Education World Contributor

4/17/2015