Introduction of other M-learning Devices

The evidence of mobile penetration and adoption is everywhere. Cell phones, PDAs, MP3players, portable game devices, handhelds, tablets, and laptops…From toddlers to seniors, people are increasingly connected and are digitally communicating with each other in ways that would have been impossible to imagine only a few years ago. Well, how can these devices be used in instruction? Here are potential instructional uses, and the pros and cons of using those devices for mobile learning.

iPod
With the iPod, students can download podcasts of relevant instructional material along with audio and video lectures.
With the iPod, students can exchange information files, collaborate on projects, review coursework and prepare for exams, showcase their work, and share project results. They (or the instructor) can provide visual, step-by-step directions that are difficult to convey with words only. Students or instructors can add a microphone to their iPods to capture material for educational use.
Pros. the iPod has already proven its popularity with students. Apple's iPod University lets professors make lectures available to students for free download. The iPod's many add-ons increase its functionality, and it's great for students on the go. It appeals to digital natives' need for immediacy of information.
Cons. First, consider the cost. An iPod may not be affordable for all students, and it requires Apple's iTunes program (which is free) for downloading files. Second, it provides one-way communication, not interactivity, although it can record material. Third, the screens are generally too small to use sophisticated applications or to read quantities of text (although this will probably change in future versions).

MP3 Player
Students can use an MP3 player to download and listen to podcasts and audio lectures. They can also review course material and study for exams, stay informed about course content, read (listen to) audio books, and, with some devices, record information such as a lecture.
Pros. MP3 players are compact and light. They have no moving parts (unlike hard disks), which increases their battery life. They feature excellent audio quality and are upgradeable and expandable.
Cons. An MP3 player is replaceable by other devices that also play audio files. Encoding files and transferring data can be time-consuming. These players provide one-way communication, not interactivity.

Personal Digital Assistant
A PDA plays audio, video, and Flash movies; displays and permits editing of text documents; lets users access e-mail and Web content; supports IM and text messaging; and can be used for mass storage.
PDAs support interactive, collaborative learning. Students can use them to present projects; conduct research; word process documents (with a peripheral input device); and take notes in class.
Pros. PDAs have a large screen (for a portable device) that makes reading easy. It also combines several computing and communication tools in one device. Text and data entry are possible through the screen keyboard, a stylus, or external peripherals.
Cons. PDAs are bulky compared to other portable devices and won't fit in a standard-sized pocket, although packs, purses, and other carriers will accommodate them. They are not efficient for entering long e-mails or texts without using a peripheral input device.

USB Drive
A USB drive is great for storing coursework and audio and video files. Students can share files for collaborative projects, transfer work to and from computers at school, save their work, and submit work to the instructor.
Pros. The drive is small and portable, and the USB interface is compatible with all newer computers. It works well for transporting files from home to school and back.
Cons. A USB drive is a single-purpose device. Other devices can also serve for mass storage.

E-Book Reader
Students can use an e-book reader to download and store text-based instructional materials and electronic textbooks; read resources on demand; and conduct research.
Pros. E-book readers have large screens for easy reading, while backlighting facilitates reading in dark places. Digital bookmarks and highlighters let users mark their texts, and full-text search capabilities make it easy to find specific passages. An e-book reader can store all the content and textbooks for several courses.
Cons. An e-book reader is a single-purpose device with limited computing capabilities. It may require proprietary text formats. A limited number of e-book titles are currently available.
Here is the link of another article about M-learning named "Enabling Mobile Learning", take a look at it if you are interesed in it. http://connect.educause.edu/Library/EDUCAUSE+Review/EnablingMobileLearning/40549