We have come a long way since mobile phones and other portable devices were first used in education. Mobile learning is still controversial yet its growth is seemingly unstoppable, exploiting powerful combinations of small devices, ready access, learner-generated content and always-on connectivity. It holds the promise of a more compassionate world where learning differently can be directly for the benefit of others. The talk will make special reference to mobile language learning, a land of opportunity where human ingenuity prevails and where you can witness all the joys and perils of learning on the move.
Agnes Kukulska-Hulme is Professor of Learning Technology and Communication and leads the Next Generation Distance Learning Programme in the Institute of Educational Technology (IET). She began her career as a French language lecturer and her first book was on language aspects of human-computer interaction. Her recent work has focused on mobile learning and on usability of learning technology inasmuch as this is essential for learner autonomy and self-directed learning. She is currently President of the International Association for Mobile Learning.
