A Genuinely Global Gathering

Participants in the 2011 M Learning Conference came from more than 50 countries and shared innovative m-learning programs ranging from mobile video training for vets in the Arctic to using handheld gaming devices to teach English in Japan. Ironically, while most of the m-learning applications were web-based, the loss of Internet connectivity during the conference reminded us that other m-learning channels – especially the humble SMS – are equally important – especially in the vast number of countries where internet is unavailable, unreliable or expensive. It was especially exciting to see the possibility of international collaborations linking students, teachers and researchers across continents. For example, I found fellow researchers in Finland, Brazil, Mexico and Japan who are introducing mobile phones into schools that serve students in poverty. I hope we can join forces to share strategies, resources, and findings.