Presentations

We are meeting for the last time today at 5:30 p.m. I am really looking forward to the students' presentations. Most are data driven, while others discuss theoretical issues about approaches to mobile learning and teaching. We have covered a variety of topics that are directly related to mobile communication. For example, we have discussed the extant literature on SMS texting, Skyping, and blogging. Some students examined the rates of satisfaction among our students with respect to hybrid and online teaching. Though many academics disapprove of online learning, some of my best students have been those enrolled in a graduate class taught primarily online. Online learning is not for everyone, especially for students who are not self-directed or for young freshmen or sophomores who prefer to interact face to face with an instructor. Hybrid courses bridge this gap from my perspective, but we will have to see how students feel about this. We need to carry out a longitudinal study comparing F2F with online learning or F2F with hybrid teaching/learning. Unless we have empirical evidence that some of these approaches work satisfactorily in specific contexts, we cannot really make generalizations about the value of these new means of course delivery. I look forward to continue to Skype and blog with former students. I will post pictures of the presentations tomorrow.