The impact of mobile devices on education

The uptake of mobile devices in schools and other educational settings has been rapid and the impact on learners and learning is becoming an area of significant research interest. Opinions on the value and role of mobile devices in the classroom are often divided and strongly held but the impact on teachers and other educators raises significant questions that need to be addressed. How do teachers and other educators adjust their practice when mobile devices are implemented? How should new teachers and educators be prepared to teach with mobile devices? What is the impact of the introduction of mobile devise on the practice of experienced educators? Finding answers to some of these questions will help to build an evidence base to inform recommendations for policy and practice.

This PhD project will build on research currently being undertaken by a team of researchers in the School of Education. The MODIS (Mobile Devices in Schools) project, being undertaken in collaboration with two local authorities, is examining the impact of mobile devices (including tablets, ipods and mobile phones) in primary and secondary schools. The PhD project offers the opportunity to extend this work and investigate the impact of mobile devices on school teachers or teachers in other sectors (for example Further Education, Higher Education or community learning). A review of the current situation of mobile use with the aim of developing a theoretical framework to underpin recommendations for policy and practice would be welcome. This would add to our understanding of issues of teachers’ identity and roles in different particular settings, and allow the development of recommendations for the training of educators, either at the initial training stage, or as part of continuing professional development.