Mobile Collaboration

This site is designated for the University of British Columbia Master of Educational Technology Program course ETEC 523 Mobile and Open Learning Assignment #2: A Movable Feast on Mobile Collaboration.

This site serves as an Open Education Resource (OER) for educational professionals or others who are interested in exploring more about mobile learning and mobile collaboration. Additionally, this site offers tips and tools to use and encourage mobile collaboration within your professional setting.

This site is presented by MET students Megan Ravenhill and Vera Xiong. Move to the "Meet the Team" section to establish contact with the contributors.

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What is Mobile Collaboration?

In the educational context, mobile collaboration means using mobile devices and the respective software that enable learners to interact and collaborate anytime and anywhere. Etymologically, "mobile" and "collaboration" implies learning in a smart and flexible way through the use of mobile devices, such as mobile phones, laptops, tablets, digital notepads, and the like.

There are multiple ways of engaging in mobile collaboration:

Via text technology

  • instant messaging

  • emailing

  • note-taking

  • annotating

Via auditory & visual technology

  • video conferencing

  • file transfering & sharing

  • screen sharing

Beyond the above, you may also find a list of mobile collaboration devices and mobile collaborative platforms. We examined multiple mobile collaboration platforms, including collaboration through virtual classrooms, shared virtual spaces, and social media platforms. A critical review has been done to some popular mobile learning platforms, in terms of its key collaboration features, accessibility, mobility issues, and recommended grade.

What Does Mobile Collaboration Look Like?

This 3 minute video showcases actual mobile learning happening through collaborative learning applications and platforms. Through these technology affordances, students can work together remotely and collaboratively.

Examples of Mobile Collaboration Devices

Mobile Collaboration via Laptops

  • Devices such as Apple Macbook, Microsoft Surface, Lenovo Thinkpad, and Acer Swift.

Mobile Collaboration via Smartphones

  • Devices such as Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Nexus, and Motorola.

Mobile Collaboration via Tablets

  • Devices such as Apple Ipad, Dell Latitude, Microsoft Surface Go, and Samsung Galaxy Tab

Mobile Collaboration via Digital Notepads

  • Devices such as Rocketbook Fusion, reMarkable, Sony DPT, and BOOX Note2

Mobile Collaborative Platforms:

Collaboration through Virtual Classrooms

While meeting online, students can collaborate with teachers and peers through:

  • Text formating

  • In-meeting individual chat and group chat

  • Video conferencing

  • File tranfering

  • Simultaneous screen sharing

  • Live annotating

  • Automated live captioning

Mobile Accesibility: Windows, macOS, Android, IOS, & Linux

Mobility Issues: internet connectivity, eg. Zoom Zeeting requires stable WIFI connection. Learning-on-go is not mobile friendly with Zoom Meeting.

Recommended Grade: 1-12 and above

Microsoft Teams allows interation and collaboration both asynchronously and synchrously, such as,

  • Text messaging

  • Video conferencing

  • File transfering

  • Screen sharing

  • Annotating

  • Automated live captioning

  • Online message translating

Mobile Accesibility: Windows, macOS, Android, & IOS

Mobility Issues: limited compatibility, eg. OneNote notebook isn't compatible with Microsoft Teams

Recommended Grade: 1-12 and above

Google Classroom allows both asychronous and synchronous learning opportunities. Although primarily known as a class organizer, it can be used as a collaborative LMS as well.

  • Material/content sharing

  • Notified posts and comments

  • Hyperlinks to other Google applications such as Google Slides, Google Meets, or Google Sites.

  • Immediate feedback for students

Mobile Accessibility: Windows, MacOS, Android, & IOS

Mobility Issues: Although Google Classroom has a mobile view, cell phones may make it difficult to create and post work due to size and keyboard limits.

Recommended Grade: 5-12 and above

Collaboration through Shared Virtual Spaces

Teachers can create, share, and host learning sessions that drive compelling student engagement.

For example, teachers can create a private team space and let other teachers use it as a shared content library, then enable an unlimited number of individuals or groups to aim for more targeted collaboration within your educational institution or beyond.

Mobile Accessibility: Windows, Andriod, Mac, Chromebook, iPhone & iPad

Mobility Issues: limited accessibility, eg. Kahoot!EDU is accessible for IOS 11 or newer & Andriod 5.0 or newer. As a result, this may hinder some learners from accessing this platform.

Recommended Grade: 5-12 and above

Minecraft Education is a Game-Based Learning (GBL) site that allows learners to collaborate on projects with peers in multiplayer mode. With the Minecraft Student Ambassador program, learners are empowered to co-learn and co-teach. Minecraft Education has facilitated learning and enhanced peer collaboration in and beyond classrooms.

Accessibility: Windows, Mac, Chromebook and iPad

Mobility Issues: limited accessibility, eg. Minecraft is not available on iPhone Apple Store, which makes it less convenient for learners to access.

Recommended Grade: 3-12 and above

Miro is the visual collaborative whiteboard platform that brings teams together. It is compatible with more than 100 applications and integrations for efficient teamwork. Teamwork can be done in real-time collaboration and in asynchronously on an online whiteboard.

Accessibility: IOS, Android, Windows, Mac, iPhone & iPad

Mobility Issues: internet connectivity, eg. Miro requires stable network connections, otherwise learners can lose their work. Also because of the limited screen view, the user mobile experience is better through a larger screen on laptops, not ideal for smartphones.

Recommended Grade: 6-12 and above

Collaboration through Social Media Platforms

YouTube

Youtube is an online video-sharing and social media platform that has 2.5 billion monthly active users. YouTube has educational channels for various learner groups, from toddlers, K-12 students, post-secondary students, and up to adults and senior adults learner groups.

For example, Ted-Ed, Khan Academy, Edutopia and many other channels are hosted on YouTube. Learners can comment, share, like/dislike, and even co-create content with one another.

Accessibility: IOS, Android, Windows, Chromebook, Mac, iPhone & iPad

Mobility Issues: YouTube is considered fairly mobile-friendly if with stable internet connections. However, it is banned in some regions of the world which limit learners' access to YouTube resources. It is not a matter of YouTube not being mobile, it's more of a matter of political Intervention.

Recommended Grade: 3-12 and up

Instagram

Instagram is a photo and video sharing social networking platform with 1.21 billion monthly active users. How can people learn and collaborate on Instagram?

  • Instagram Live. Anyone can create a live-streaming channel to interact with their followers. Through real-time interaction, it could enhance student's engagement. It doesn't necessarily be teachers hosting live-streaming, small groups of students can also live-steaming video to work on group projects.

  • Augmented Reality (AR) filter. Users can use customized AR filters, for instance, Spark AR Studio owned by Metaverse allows users to create their own interactive AR filters. These customized filters can be a valuable and interavtive add-on to virtual learning experience.

  • Stickers and quizzes. They are features under Instagram Stories. Educational influencers can use stickers and quizzes to attract thousands of people with similar interests. With AI technology, Instagram can quickly locate potential people with the same learning desire on a certain topic or subject. Hence, inviting learners with shared interest to a online community.

Accessibility: IOS, Android, Windows, Chromebook, Mac, iPhone & iPad

Mobility Issues: similar to YouTube, Instagram is only accessible in certain regions. Hence, hinders Instagram content reaching out to some parts of the word, like China & North Korea.

Recommended Grade: 6-12 and above

TikTok

TikTok is shortvideo-hosting social media platform with 1 billion monthly active users. Using TikTok in classroom doesn't necessarily a distraction. Instead, it could be served as a student engagement tool.

  • TikTok Live allow viewers and creators to interact in real-time. It can be limited to a select group of classroom students and teacher only. Hence they don't need to worry of content being viewed by a wider audience. However, they also have the option to allow wider audience into their live channels.

  • Learners can be content-creators! Under teacher's supervision and guidance, learners can create meaningful and value-adding content to their own channel and share with others.

It could be a novel way of handing in assignments. A note to teacher, TikTok Live is only available for users 16 years and over.

Accessibility: IOS, Android, Windows, Chromebook, Mac, iPhone & iPad

Mobility Issues: similar to the above social media platforms, TikTok is not globally accessible. Privacy can also be a concern for teachers and workplaces.

Recommended Grade: 12 and above