Digital Content in Higher Education Enhances Learning According to Wireless Pilot Project.

Business Editors/Education Writers

NEW YORK & TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 8, 2003

The results of an innovative pilot project by the Mobile Learning Consortium, an alliance of leading college-level institutions, educational publishing and technology companies, found that digital content helped first-year college accounting students to learn accounting.

The study also provided a foundation of findings for future wireless education studies.

The Mobile Learning Consortium's objective was to gain important insight on the efficiency and effectiveness of integrating wireless technology into the classroom-based learning process. The consortium of public and private stakeholders includes: Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT); Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology in Ontario; McGraw-Hill Education and its Canadian unit McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd.; Bell Mobility; Blackboard; Hewlett-Packard; Avaya; and Cap Gemini Ernst & Young.

Students in the pilot project consistently reported that online interactive exercises that could be accessed through wireless technology were useful to student learning. In addition, instructors noted that wireless technology enabled them to encourage independent student learning because they could adopt a coaching role in the classroom.

"We are encouraged by the results of this unique study that brought together leaders in education and technology. Through this pilot project, we gained valuable insights about the learning environment when new technology is introduced, including the effect on content, configuration of services and content delivery methods. We also learned how to effectively manage a consortium serving the higher education space," said Ed Stanford, president of McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

Under the study, 300 students from NAIT and Seneca College piloted a program that involved wireless access to introductory accounting course curriculum materials. The project design involved students with wireless iPAQ handheld computers and two control groups without wireless capabilities, some of whom used a laptop.

"Throughout this pilot project, students have consistently told us that having wireless access and the addition of digital resources is what really made a difference," said Cindy Hazell, vice president Academic, Seneca College. "We were pleased to have the opportunity to participate in the mobile learning project as part of our ongoing evaluation of the use of new technologies to enhance the teaching/learning process."

Shirley Holloway, vice president, Academic and Student Services at NAIT said: "Overall this pilot project has provided excellent baseline data for use in planning future, more extensive projects. It is clear that the future of learning organizations is inextricably linked to the possibilities inherent in new learning technologies, wireless capabilities and curriculum designed to excite the student and enhance faculty effectiveness."

The results of the study also revealed several important findings relating to use of technology in learning. They include:

-- Students and instructors consistently recommended that the

colleges continue to explore the potential of wireless

networks and devices for teaching, learning and providing

college services.

-- The effectiveness of a wireless curriculum is dependent on the

reliability of technology.

-- Assessment of student learning should be based on a

multi-factor approach that includes technology as one of

several key issues.

-- Handheld computers may be more effective in certain

disciplines than others.

-- Students benefit from multiple training approaches to

familiarizing them with the technology device.

For more information or to view a copy of the Mobile Learning Consortium's results please visit, www.mcgrawhill.ca/mlearning.