TRAINING TEACHERS TO USE MOBILE (HAND HELD) TECHNOLOGIES WITHIN MAINSTREAM SCHOOL EDUCATION IN ROMANIA

Abstract

Hand-held technologies are becoming commonplace within everyday lives but can also be used for powerful learning experiences inside the classroom and outside of the traditional education environment. We start training of teachers to embed mobile technologies within mainstream learning in and out of the classroom by providing training on hand-held devices for both teacher trainees and existing teachers. Our MLEARN programme challenge the teachers to think creatively about mobile learning and will develop their confidence to try new ideas within the whole school curriculum. Research suggests that there has been under investment in training for teachers in ICT generally, and that in a world where young people are avid and constant users of some new technology and much social media, teachers who are confident in the use of hand-held technology will be able to respond quickly to change and to channel the interest and IT skills of young people into education. Our vision recognises technologies are becoming commonplace within everyday lives but can also be used for powerful learning experiences in and outside of the traditional education environment. Our aim is to embed mobile technologies (handhelds) within mainstream learning in and out of the classroom by integrating training on mlearning within initial teacher training and in service training/continuous professional development programmes to challenge teachers to think creatively about mobile learning and develop their confidence to try new ideas within the whole school curriculum. New technological developments have the power to transform society, the way we learn, work, play, communicate and interact. Teachers are crucial change makers in this process, and it is important to see how they interact with new technological environments (mobile/handheld technologies) in both their engagement and delivery practices. Evidence from recent research shows the lack of investment in teacher training which would empower them to utilise these technologies.