Microsoft in Education Virtual Forum- Latin America & Caribbean October 30 th, 2014

Project Name: Teaching Mexican Culture in Japan, applying Mobile Learning Educator: Francisco Javier Velázquez Sagahón. School or Educational Institution: Brief description of the context or school environment University of Guanajuato. First public university of Guanajuato state, located in the center of México. With more than 30,000 students in programs ranging from high school to doctorate level. Specify the Website: Content / Subjects or Curriculum: Mexican culture and traditions. Age / Educational Level or Grade: Undergraduate. Project Objectives: Explore the use of mobile devices in classrooms, for motivate, engage and discover new modalities of learning.

Context of this history The global society is demanding a change in the classic model of teaching. Francisco Velazquez, is looking to answer the question: ¿How a professor can switch to a new model of teaching? Two years ago, I started applying “Action Research” with a group of teachers of the University of Guanajuato to probe “new things” in our classrooms.

First findings We found that the use of mobile devices in classrooms, may help the professor to start a change in the teaching practice. Because this devices can motivate, engage and discover new modalities of learning. 90% of the students, who participated in a class using mobile devices believe that this way of learning is better and more fun.

The Challenge The group of teachers decide that this findings have to be probed in a completely different school context. And analyze the differences on the perceptions of students in the use of mobile devices in class. To do this, a professor in Japan was contacted. The theme was agreed: Mexican culture and traditions, to japanese students in a 90 minute session. Place: Hikone, Japan.

Mobile learning model (Díaz-Barriga, 2013) Create an expectation of learning Access to many sources of information Analyze Discuss Integrate learning

Metodology Powerpoint is the tool used to design the learning activity. The.ppt file is incorporated into the app “Nearpod” to perform interactive activities defined in the mobile learning model. The students can use any mobile devices that uses windows mobile, OS and Android, as well as the use of laptops.

Learning activity All the learning activity was conduced by the professor with the help of a tablet. The professor can see all the activity, question, answers, statistics, navigation, drawing etc. In this session participated 123 students.

Learning activity The learning activity is divided in three parts. I ) First of all, it is necessary identify the level of knowledge about the topic to learn. In this case, it was defined three basic questions about Mexico: – a)Where is Mexico? – b)What is the flag of Mexico? – c)Express the main ideas or concepts that come to your mind when your hear the word Mexico.

Learning activity Due to the app “Nearpod” inform immediately to the professor the percentages of correct/wrong or the responses in open question, he can adjust the speed and depth of the learning activity according to these results.

Learning activity II) The second part, the students have access to information prepared by the professor about the topics: Pre-Columbian Civilizations, Mexican Food, Production of Tequila, History of the Mariachi and Description of the traditional holiday: The Day of the Death.

Learning activity The topics of more interesting was: 13% Pre-Columbian Civilizations 38% Mexican food 9% Tequila 4% Mariachi 17% Day of the death 18% No answer. Like the first part of this activity, this information helps the professor to make some verbal explanations of the topics of most interest to the group.

Learning activity III) In the third part of the activity, they were asked to make a drawing on your mobile device that will reflect the most significant learning of the class. The next slides shows some of this drawing:

Learning activity At the end were asked their opinion about learning using their mobile devices. A 95% of the class said they liked a lot this way of learning and they like to use on a regular basis to their class.

Conclusion Mobile learning is widely accepted in classrooms. By Mexican and Japanese students !! It is a most interesting and fun way of learning. It is the closest thing to the new modes of communication by the young people. The challenge is for teachers, to design learning activities bases on this model.

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