UNESCO Chair International Seminar 2010

‘Mobile Technologies for Learning and Development’

The VII International Seminar of the Chair was held in Barcelona the 6-7 October 2010 with the title of Mobile Technologies for Learning Development. The goal was to explore the potential of mobile  technologies as a learning medium which every day lures  more and more educators, software and hardware  developers, policymakers and telecom providers. 

We analyzed the current state and future development trends in m-learning promises and practices and did a reality-check regarding mobile technologies in their broadest  sense (mobile phones, networks, computers, electronic  books, tablets and all sorts of systems and devices) for  development, learning and education of individuals and  communities, focusing on poorer communities, nationally  and internationally. Relevant case studies from various  regions of the world (Europe, Latin America, India and South  Africa) demonstrated possibilities for empowering disadvantaged people.

Speakers

• Miguel Nussbaum, Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile.
• Jill Attewell, LSN Research Centre for Technology Enhanced Learning, UK.
• Steve Vosloo, Shuttleworth Foundation, South Africa.
• Matthew Kam, Carnegie Mellon University, USA.
• Carolina Jeux, Fundación Telefónica, Spain.
• Magí Almirall, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Spain.
• John Traxler, University of Wolverhampton, UK.
• Thomas Putz, Evolaris Next Level, Austria.

Presentations

• Thomas Putz, “The project ‘Mobile Game Based Learning’”
• John Traxler, “Mobiles for Learning in Africa… Too Good to Be True?”
• Magí Almirall, “Learning Technologies in Mobile Scenarios”
• Carolina Jeux, “Analysis of the m-learning practices in Telefónica regarding its different stakeholders: Employees and Families, Customers and Society”
• Matthew Kam, “Mobile Phones and Language Literacy in Rural Developing Regions”
• Miguel Nussbaum, “Looking into the Future: the Importance of Applications and Quality Content”
• Steve Vosloo, “mLearning in Africa: Lessons from the m4Lit Project”
• Jill Attewell, “Mobilising Technology for Learning: Lessons from MoLeNET”
• Closing remarks